Fresh footage of Lionel MessiThe first-match and half-time team talks reignited the debate over whether Argentina entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals carrying more baggage than just the burden of defending their title.The newly emerged videos, recorded in the players’ dressing room and tunnel ahead of Sunday’s final against Spain, prompted widespread fan speculation after Messi repeatedly urged his teammates to “forget everything” and focus only on football.The footage went viral after Argentina produced one of their most underrated performances under Lionel Scaloni, eventually losing 0-1 after extra time to Spain at the MetLife Stadium.While Spain dominated proceedings throughout, Argentina failed to register a significant attacking threat for long periods, with their first shot only coming in extra time.
Messi’s repeated message raises questions
The first video, filmed moments before the players left the pitch, shows Messi trying to calm down an unusually tense team.“Calm, keep calm, lads. We think about playing, nothing more. Stay calm. Let’s forget everything, forget everything. Let’s focus on playing,” says the captain of Argentina to his teammates.Another clip from the tunnel captures Messi delivering a similar message moments before kick-off.“Come on guys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing happened,” Messi is heard saying to his teammates.The wording immediately caught the attention of supporters, particularly 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 normal time after receiving a second yellow card.
Halftime rally with Emiliano Martinez
Messi’s leadership continued during the interval as television cameras caught another motivational speech before Argentina returned for 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 passionate message, saying: “With heart, lads. Let’s move forward, not back down… Only cowards play backwards.”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 remarked after the final that “things happened” before the match, but refused to elaborate “out of respect for the tournament”.
Emotional consequences
Messi later reflected on the defeat in an emotional Instagram message.“The pain is immense, and it will take time to heal this wound,” I wrote. “But I also hold on to all the good… this group has reached two consecutive World Cup finals.”Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also dismissed accusations surrounding Argentina’s tournament run, criticizing those spreading “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.For now, the viral footage has only deepened the intrigue. Messi’s repeated plea to “forget everything” remains inexplicable.