Messi: “Frustrated by the missed penalty, but proud of the comeback
By OnzeActu · · 3 min read
After Argentina's spectacular comeback against Egypt after being down 2-0, Lionel Messi spoke about his contrasting emotions. Despite the frustration of the missed penalty, the Argentine captain praised the mental strength of his team, highlighting the fighting spirit and self-sacrifice of the group, while sharing the difficulty of the prolonged separation from his family during the competition.
The Argentine captain did not hide his immense relief: “Honestly, it’s a great liberation for all of us. Ending the match this way, with qualification at the end, while the situation was very complicated after conceding two goals, it gives even more meaning to this victory. »
Messi returned directly to one of the highlights of the match: his missed penalty while Argentina was trailing. “I was really frustrated with the missed penalty and the way I took it. I felt like I had disappointed the team in a key moment. If I had scored, the match would surely have taken a different turn. But despite this twist of fate, we continued to push, to try, to create chances. Their goalkeeper made decisive saves on Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez. When they scored the second goal, it got even more complicated, but this group is not giving up. »
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Symbol of a tenacious and united team, Messi highlighted the mentality of his teammates: “We never stop fighting, believing in our chances. This team never gives up, which explains the results we have been able to obtain for several years. Even today, Argentina has shown that it possesses character, pride and determination. »
The Argentine star highlighted the privilege of being part of such a group: “To be alongside these players, to fight alongside them, regardless of the opponent, it’s a privilege. Overcoming a two-goal gap in a knockout match at the World Cup is far from easy. But as always, we did it with heart. »
Beyond the field, Messi spoke of the human dimension of the adventure: “It’s been a long time since I saw my wife and my children. Our families are far away, it’s not easy, but our happiness in this group helps us to keep going. We know why we are here: to give our all on the pitch and make our supporters proud. »
Relief, pride, and deep gratitude towards the locker room and the fans punctuated the speech of Lionel Messi, whose thirst for victory and his history with Argentina do not seem to be ending any time soon. The Albiceleste continues its journey to the World Cup with the intact ambition of conquering a new world title.