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Fresh shots Lionel MessiThe pre-match and half-time team talks reignited the debate over whether Argentina entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals carrying more baggage than the sheer weight of defending their title.Recently released videos, taken in the dressing room and players’ tunnel ahead of Sunday’s final against Spain, have sparked widespread speculation from fans after Messi repeatedly urged his team-mates to “forget everything” and focus solely on football. The video went viral after Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina produced one of their weakest performances, eventually losing 0-1 after extra time to Spain at the MetLife Stadium.While Spain dominated proceedings throughout, Argentina failed to register a meaningful attacking threat for long periods, with their first strike not arriving until deep into extra time.
Messi’s repeated message raises questions
The first video, taken moments before the players leave the dressing room, shows Messi trying to calm down an unusually tense squad.“Calm down, let’s keep calm guys. Let’s think about the game, nothing else. Keep calm. Let’s forget about everything, forget about everything. Let’s focus on the game,” the Argentina captain told his teammates.Another clip from the tunnel shows Messi delivering a similar message moments before kick-off.“Come on guys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing happened,” Messi was heard saying to his teammates.The wording immediately caught the attention of fans, especially as several players – including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez – appeared visibly emotional and unusually subdued.Martinez was later forced off injured during the first half, while Fernandez was sent off late in regulation time after receiving a second yellow card.
Gathering at half time with Emiliano Martinez
Messi’s lead continued during the break as television cameras recorded another motivational speech before Argentina stormed back in the second half.“Come on guys. Personality, people, personality. We’ve always had it, so why don’t we have it now? We have the personality to play,” urged Messi.Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also tried to inspire the team with an equally impassioned message, saying: “With heart, guys. Let’s go forward, not back… Only cowards play back.”Despite the rallying cries, Argentina struggled to impose themselves before Ferran Torres eventually scored the winner in the 106th minute.The unusual nature of Messi’s comments has sparked numerous theories on social media. Adding to the mystery, Scaloni noted after the final that “things happened” before the match, but declined to elaborate “out of respect for the tournament.”
Emotional consequences
Messi later reflected on the defeat in an emotional message on Instagram.“The pain is immense and it will take time for this wound to heal,” he wrote. “But I’m also holding on to all the good … this group has reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul has also dismissed allegations related to Argentina’s championship, criticizing those spreading “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.For now, the viral video has only deepened the intrigue. Messi’s repeated request to “forget everything” remains unexplained.
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