Messi’s pre-final pep talks spark fan theories after World Cup loss

By Arjun Sharma — 21 July 2026 — 4 min read

New footage showing Lionel Messi’s pre-match and half-time team talks during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final has prompted widespread discussion among fans. The videos, recorded inside the dressing room and players’ tunnel before Argentina’s match against Spain, reveal Messi repeatedly urging his teammates to “forget everything” and concentrate solely on football. This has led to speculation regarding the pressure on the team beyond the usual weight of defending their title.

The footage gained significant traction online following Argentina’s 0-1 loss to Spain after extra time at MetLife Stadium. The match saw Argentina deliver a subdued performance under Lionel Scaloni, struggling to create significant attacking opportunities for extended periods. Their first shot on target did not arrive until deep into extra time, while Spain maintained dominance throughout the game.

Pre-Match Messages and Team Demeanour

One video, captured moments before the players exited the dressing room, shows Messi attempting to calm what appeared to be an unusually tense squad. He advised his teammates, “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.”

Another clip from the tunnel depicted Messi delivering a similar message just before kick-off. He was heard telling his teammates, “Come on, boys, let’s forget what happened, as if nothing had happened.” This particular wording drew considerable attention from supporters, especially as several players, including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez, appeared visibly emotional and unusually quiet.

Fans observed that the squad’s mood seemed different from their usual demeanour throughout the tournament, with many noting worried expressions and a lack of their characteristic energy. One social media user commented on the unusual nature of Messi’s pep talk, describing it as “strange and completely anticlimactic,” and highlighting the “worried faces and the low energy.” Another user pointed out that while the sentence itself was odd, the most concerning aspect was the players’ “flat, lifeless, beaten” body language.

During the match, Martinez was later substituted due to injury in the first half, and Fernandez received a second yellow card late in normal time, leading to his dismissal.

Half-Time Rally and Post-Match Reflections

Messi’s leadership continued into the half-time interval. Television cameras captured him delivering another motivational speech before Argentina re-entered the field for the second half. He urged his team, “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.”

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also contributed to the effort to inspire the squad, delivering an equally passionate message. He stated, “With heart, lads. Let’s move forward, not backward… Only cowards play backward.” Despite these rallying cries, Argentina found it difficult to assert themselves, and Ferran Torres ultimately scored the winning goal in the 106th minute.

The unusual nature of Messi’s comments has generated numerous theories across social media platforms. Adding to the intrigue, Coach Scaloni remarked after the final that “things happened” before the match but declined to provide further details “out of respect for the tournament.” This comment further fuelled speculation about a potential incident leading up to the game.

Unconfirmed Theories and Lingering Questions

Journalist Eduardo Feinmann relayed claims suggesting that Messi’s call to “forget everything” might have been connected to rumours circulating prior to the match. According to Feinmann, a rumour began to spread before the final in New Jersey alleging that FBI agents were present at the stadium with the intention of arresting AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia. This rumour reportedly caused unease within the Argentine delegation and reached the players.

Feinmann also claimed that Tapia is currently facing legal investigations in both Argentina and the United States. Under this theory, Messi’s message to “forget about everything” and focus solely on playing could have been a direct response to these unconfirmed rumours. However, this explanation has not been corroborated by the AFA or any member of the squad.

Messi later reflected on the defeat in an emotional Instagram message, stating, “The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal. 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 criticising those who spread “baseless conspiracy theories” during the World Cup.

As of now, neither Lionel Messi, Lionel Scaloni, nor any other members of the Argentine delegation have publicly clarified what the captain was referring to when he urged the team to leave “everything” behind before the final. The viral footage continues to spark debate and speculation among fans regarding the events leading up to the match.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com