Argentina won the World Cup last December at a tournament held in Qatar. They defeated France on penalties in the World Cup final. She reached for gold medals for the first time in 36 years and the World Championships in 1986.
Leo Messi returned to the match against Poland. “We played a great game”
In order to win the World Cup, the Argentines in the group stage had to: beat Poland. They defeated the White-and-Reds 2:0 after the goals of Alexis Mac Allister (46.) and Julian Alvarez (67.). Messi missed a penalty in the 39th minute.
“After the win against Mexico, I was very confident and calm. We played a great game against Poland, even when I missed a penalty, we continued to play the same or even better. We started to have much more control over the game. Long possession of the ball was what we missed with Saudi Arabia,” Messi said in a lengthy conversation with the Argentine daily Ole.
However, it was not the match against Poland that decided whether Argentina would get out of the group, it was the one that Messi feared the most.
– The match against the Netherlands was the one I was most afraid of. They scored a goal in the last minutes, one that no one expected. It was really scary,” Messi said.
He also revealed what he told his colleagues in the locker room before the all-important second group clash with Mexico. If the Argentines lost it, they would be eliminated from the World Cup.
“I remember talking to the guys and telling them that I know the situation we’re in is difficult, but let’s try to get out of it. Let’s forget what we’ve been playing and let’s play as we always do. After all, we were on a 35-game unbeaten streak and we knew if we played like we can, we’d be better than Mexico, although they’re a great team and it was a tough test because of the way they play. It was hard to be patient and calm because the rank was huge. At times we were consumed by anxiety and we forced ourselves to play fast, we lost stupid balls, but that’s normal given the nature of the match.”
Will he play in next year’s Copa America and even in the 2026 World Cup, which will be played in Canada, Mexico and the United States? – was asked by journalists?
– I don’t know. I have always said that because of my age I think it will be very difficult for me to get there. I love playing football, I love what I do and as long as I am good, I feel fit and I still enjoy it, I will keep doing it. But there seems to be a long time until the next World Cup,” Messi admitted.
Coach Scaloni said he would keep the number 10 shirt for you.
– I don’t anticipate anything. I will repeat again – due to the age and time of the next World Cup, it seems to me that it is difficult. But it depends on how my career goes. Whether I will play in a big tournament again depends on many things.
Messi made 172 appearances for the Argentina national team. He scored 98 goals and had 55 assists.
Source: Sport.PL
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