Lionel Messi dedicated Argentina's qualification for the final of the 2026 World Cup to his homeland, in a heartfelt message directed especially to those facing economic hardships.
After the comeback by the albiceleste against England, winning 2-1 in the semifinals held this Wednesday at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, the Argentine star spoke to the press to dedicate the victory to his fans.
"We are proud and happy to be able to bring this joy to the people. We know that the World Cups are special for us, and we forget about all the hardships we endure, that there are people who are struggling, who do not have jobs, who can't make ends meet, who are constantly fighting, this is our life, what we have always faced," declared the albiceleste captain.
The match against England, a historic rival of Argentina, carried a particular emotional weight for the team and for the millions of supporters who followed them from the South American country.
Messi acknowledged that the match was "a very special game for all Argentinians" and that it was "the game we didn't want to lose."
"I know that many people came out at the monument, at the obelisk, throughout Argentina. And, well, it brings us great joy to share this happiness," added the captain, clearly moved.
The victory came dramatically: Anthony Gordon had given England the lead in the 55th minute, but Argentina reacted in the final moments with a goal from Enzo Fernández in the 85th minute and the decisive goal from Lautaro Martínez in the 90+2, heading it in after a precise cross from Messi.
Messi himself highlighted the historic achievement of the group: «Today we accomplished something amazing, making it to the last day, playing in a World Cup final, and being among the top two again».
The captain also highlighted the consistency of the team's performance over the past few years: "We have been the best for the last four years, and today we again demonstrate that no one has given us anything and that everything we achieve is on the field."
Argentina arrives at this final as the defending two-time champion, having been crowned in Qatar 2022, and becomes the first team to compete in two consecutive World Cup finals in the modern era.
Messi, at the age of 39, is experiencing a historic tournament personally: he has scored eight goals in the 2026 World Cup and 21 in total during his World Cup career, becoming the all-time leading scorer in World Cups after surpassing the previous record of 16 goals held by Miroslav Klose on June 22, 2026, against Austria.
Argentina will face Spain in the final on July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, after the Spanish team eliminated France 2-0 in the other semifinal held on July 14 in Dallas.
"We feel proud of everything we have been achieving, of what we have been providing to people, and we are happy that people are able to enjoy it the way they are enjoying it," Messi concluded, in what could be his last final in a World Cup.
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