Argentina’s World Cup final pressure debated after Messi’s tunnel talks

By Rohan Gupta — 21 July 2026 — 4 min read

Messi’s Pre-Match Messages Spark Debate

New footage has emerged showing Lionel Messi’s pre-match and half-time team talks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, reigniting discussions about the pressure on the Argentina squad. The videos, captured inside the dressing room and players’ tunnel before the final against Spain, have led to widespread fan speculation. Messi repeatedly urged his teammates to “forget everything” and concentrate solely on football.

The footage gained significant traction after Argentina’s performance, which many described as subdued under coach Lionel Scaloni. The team ultimately lost 0-1 to Spain after extra time at MetLife Stadium. Spain largely controlled the game, while Argentina struggled to create significant attacking opportunities, registering their first shot deep into extra time.

One video, recorded just before the players entered the pitch, shows Messi attempting to calm a visibly tense squad. “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,” the Argentina captain was heard telling his teammates. This message immediately caught the attention of supporters, particularly as several players, including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez, appeared unusually subdued and emotional.

Another clip from the tunnel captured Messi delivering a similar message just before kick-off. “Come on, boys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing had happened,” he reportedly told his teammates. Martinez was later substituted due to injury during the first half, and Fernandez received a second yellow card late in normal time, leading to his sending off.

Half-Time Rally and Unexplained Incidents

Messi’s leadership continued into the half-time interval. Television cameras recorded 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 team. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also tried to inspire the squad with a passionate message, stating, “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 match. Ferran Torres eventually scored the winning goal in the 106th minute. The unusual nature of Messi’s comments has prompted numerous theories on social media regarding potential underlying issues within the team or external pressures.

Adding to the intrigue, Scaloni remarked after the final that “things happened” before the match but declined to elaborate further, citing “respect for the tournament.” This comment from the coach further fueled speculation about a possible incident in the build-up to the game, as noted by fans and commentators online.

Journalist Eduardo Feinmann relayed claims that Messi’s call to ‘forget everything’ was linked to rumors circulating before the match. According to Feinmann, a rumor began to spread before the final in New Jersey that FBI agents were at the stadium with the intention of arresting AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. This rumor reportedly caused unease within the Argentine delegation and reached the players, although these claims remain unsubstantiated and unconfirmed by official sources.

Aftermath and Lingering Questions

In the emotional aftermath of the defeat, Messi reflected on the outcome in an Instagram message. “The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal,” he wrote, adding, “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 surrounding Argentina’s tournament run and criticizing those who spread “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.

The viral footage continues to deepen the mystery surrounding the final. Messi’s repeated plea to “forget everything” remains unexplained by any official source or member of the Argentine delegation. The tone of his pep talk, described by some users as “strange and completely anticlimactic,” along with the visibly worried expressions and low energy of the squad, has led to various interpretations on social media platforms.

One social media user commented on the team’s appearance, noting, “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.” For now, the exact reasons behind Messi’s specific choice of words and the team’s demeanor before the 2026 World Cup final continue to be a subject of fan debate and speculation.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter