Riyad Mahrez on Lionel Messi meeting his daughter after Argentina vs Algeria:
🗣️ “After the match, I went over to Leo Messi with my daughter because meeting him had been one of her biggest dreams for years. She has watched his highlights, worn his shirts, talked about his goals, and imagined this moment so many times.”
“As a father, there are moments in life that mean more than football, more than victories, and more than anything that happens on a pitch. Watching your child experience pure happiness is something that cannot be described with words.”
“I told Leo that she had been dreaming of meeting him and taking a photo with him for such a long time, and immediately he stopped what he was doing, smiled warmly, and gave her his full attention.”
“She was so nervous that she could barely speak at first. Her hands were shaking, her eyes were full of emotion, and she looked like she couldn't believe the moment she had imagined for years was finally happening.”
“In that moment, there was no Argentina, no Algeria, no World Cup, no competition, and no rivalry. It was simply a little girl standing face-to-face with the person she had always looked up to.”
“What touched me the most was the way Leo handled the situation. He didn't rush, he didn't make it feel like an obligation, and he didn't act like a superstar. He made her feel special and comfortable.”
“He spoke to her, smiled for the photos, and treated her with so much kindness and respect. Those small gestures mean everything to children because they stay with them forever.”
“When we walked away, she couldn't stop smiling. She kept looking at the photo over and over again, almost as if she was checking whether the moment was real.”
“She kept saying, ‘Dad, I actually met Messi. I really met Messi.’ Hearing those words from my daughter was more emotional for me than people can imagine.”
“Football gives us unforgettable moments on the pitch, but for me, the most beautiful moment of the night happened after the final whistle when I watched my daughter's dream become a reality right in front of my eyes.”
*Argentina loses to Saudi Arabia on the first game of the 2022 WC
The whole world: "Where's Messi? Where's Messi? Where's Messi?"
*Portugal draws to DR Congo on the first game of the 2026 WF
Idiots: "We should blame the midfield. They didn't pass to Ronaldo🤡"
Turn by turn
🚨🎙️ Wayne Rooney on Cristiano Ronaldo performance in the Portugal 1-1 draw with DR Congo in the FIFA WORLD CUP
“I’ve got massive respect for everything Cristiano has achieved in the game – the goals, the titles, all of it – but you’ve got to call it as you see it.
Tonight against DR Congo, if that lad didn’t have ‘Ronaldo’ on the back of his shirt, there’s no way he’s starting that match for Portugal. Simple as.
They carried him again for long periods. He was quiet for most of the game, missed a couple of big chances, and the team looked like they were playing with one eye on keeping him happy rather than just going out there and winning the game properly.
Great player in his prime, no doubt, but at this stage of his career… the name on the back is doing more talking than the legs are. Portugal need to move on if they want to go far in this tournament.”