New footage showing Lionel Messi’s pre-match and half-time team talks has reignited discussions regarding the pressure on Argentina leading up to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The videos, captured in the dressing room and players’ tunnel before the final against Spain, have led to widespread fan speculation after Messi repeatedly urged his teammates to “forget everything” and concentrate solely on football.
The footage gained significant traction online following Argentina’s 0-1 defeat to Spain after extra time at MetLife Stadium. This performance was described as one of their most subdued under coach Lionel Scaloni. Spain largely controlled the game, while Argentina struggled to create significant attacking opportunities, registering their first shot on target late in extra time.
Pre-Match Messages and Player Reactions
One video, recorded just before the team exited the dressing room, shows Messi attempting to calm a visibly tense squad. He instructed his teammates, saying, “Calm, let’s stay calm, lads. Let’s think about playing, nothing else. Stay calm. Let’s forget about everything, let’s forget about everything. Let’s focus on playing.” This message, delivered by the Argentina captain, aimed to bring a sense of focus to the team.
Another clip from the tunnel captured Messi reiterating a similar message just before kick-off. He was heard telling his teammates, “Come on, boys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing had happened.” The specific wording of these messages drew considerable attention from supporters, particularly because several players, including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez, appeared unusually subdued and emotional.
The match saw Martinez leave the field due to injury during the first half, while Fernandez received a second yellow card late in normal time, leading to his dismissal. These incidents, combined with the team’s overall performance, have fueled fan theories about the circumstances surrounding the final.
Half-Time Rally and Post-Match Reflections
Messi’s leadership continued into the half-time interval. Television cameras captured him delivering another motivational speech before Argentina returned for the second half. “Come on, lads. Personality, people, personality. We’ve always had it, so why wouldn’t we have it now? We have the personality to play,” Messi urged his teammates.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also contributed to the effort to inspire the squad, delivering an equally passionate message. He stated, “With heart, lads. Let’s move forward, not backward… Only cowards play backward.” Despite these rallying cries, Argentina found it difficult to assert themselves in the game. Ferran Torres ultimately scored the winning goal in the 106th minute.
The unusual nature of Messi’s comments has prompted numerous theories across social media platforms. Adding to the intrigue, Lionel Scaloni, the coach, commented after the final that “things happened” before the match but declined to provide further details “out of respect for the tournament.” This statement further intensified speculation among fans.
Following the defeat, Messi shared his feelings in an emotional Instagram message. He wrote, “The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal. But I also hold on to all the good… this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.” Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also addressed the situation, dismissing accusations regarding Argentina’s tournament run and criticizing those who spread “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.
Unconfirmed Theories and Ongoing Debate
The viral video has deepened the mystery surrounding the final. Journalist Eduardo Feinmann relayed claims suggesting that Messi’s call to ‘forget everything’ was connected to rumors circulating before the match. These claims, however, remain unconfirmed. The video, which went viral a day after Argentina’s loss to Spain, shows players in the dressing room as Messi attempts to calm them.
Many online users observed that the squad appeared more serious than usual, with worried expressions and a mood that differed significantly from their demeanor throughout the rest of the tournament. One user on X commented, “As someone who’s not into conspiracy theories at all, I think this pep talk from Messi is really strange and completely anticlimactic. The worried faces and the low energy. This Argentina side isn’t like that. Unsettling.” Another user added, “Everyone is focusing on the sentence. Yes, it’s odd, but the worst thing is something else: the faces, the body language. Flat, lifeless, beaten. I’m not even talking about anything external, but something was going on with a large part of the team.”
Some users also referenced Lionel Scaloni’s post-final remarks about pre-match incidents, which he chose not to elaborate on “out of respect for the tournament.” This fueled further speculation about a potential incident leading up to the game. Among the circulating theories were unsubstantiated claims alleging that the match had been fixed, though no evidence or official sources have supported these.
Another theory emerged, suggesting that a rumor about FBI agents being at the stadium to arrest AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia had caused unease within the Argentine delegation and reached the players. According to Feinmann, this rumor could have been the reason behind Messi’s plea to “forget about everything.” However, this explanation has not been officially confirmed by the AFA or any member of the squad. As of now, neither Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni, nor any other members of the Argentine delegation have publicly clarified what the captain was referring to when he asked the team to leave “everything” behind before the final.
The video continues to generate debate among fans and speculation about the events leading up to the match.
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
