[마이데일리 = 이현호 기자] Lionel Messi’s (35) shouting awakened the Argentine team.
Argentina won the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. It is the first World Cup victory in 36 years since the 1986 World Cup victory in Mexico. Messi was at the center of it. Messi scored goals in the group stage, round of 16, quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals to relieve the bitterness of winning the World Cup.
We made it through to the finals, but this last match was not easy. Argentina scored two goals early and took a 2-0 lead. However, with regarding 10 minutes left in the game, Kylian Mbappe (France) allowed two runs. In an instant, the score was tied 2-2 and went into overtime.
Rodrigo De Paul (28), Argentina’s number 7 and also called ‘Messi’s bodyguard’, told the atmosphere at the scene at the time. De Paul said in an interview with Argentinian media ‘Infociello’ on the 28th (Korean time), “Messi stopped us and said a word before going into extra time in the final.”
Here’s what Messi shouted at the Argentine players: “Don’t you know football? Didn’t you know you’d lose to France? Come to your senses! The one who stands up once more in the most difficult moment is a champion.” De Paul recalled, “Thanks to Messi’s shout, the players came to their senses.”
In the end, Argentina scored first even into overtime to take a 3-2 lead. But France had Mbappe. Mbappe scored another equalizer to make it 3-3. In the penalty shootout that followed, Argentina won 4-2 to claim the final championship cup.
With this, Messi achieved his first World Cup victory in his last World Cup. He even earned the title of GOAT (Greatest Of All Time), which means the greatest player of all time. Messi, who had gone through trials such as being runner-up in the World Cup and runner-up in Copa America in the past, became a stronger existence and united his juniors into one.
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Reporter Hyunho Lee hhhh@mydaily.co.kr
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