Messi explains how he creates space, reads threats, anticipates possibilities and mentally rehearses plays before a match:
“My style of play changed a lot throughout my career.
"I started by playing out wide. Later, I began playing more centrally. There were periods when I played with a lot of freedom and moved wherever I wanted."
"I’m always trying to create space, both for myself and for my teammates, so that we can be effective and finish the play, whether with a pass or a goal."
"That’s how I developed. My only objective was always to reach the opposing goal and score."
"I try to move and position myself well when we attack so I can take advantage of the moments that appear."
"I can’t predict everything, but I try to read where the game is flowing, where we can hurt the opponent and where they might hurt us."
"I try to recognize that as quickly as possible. I imagine what I would like to happen. I imagine certain plays or situations that could develop during the match."
"Then I try to visualize the game in my head... To create the play mentally and think about what might happen, so I can later execute it on the field."
"The reality is that what you imagine or think about often doesn’t happen exactly that way. But it helps me. It’s a good way for me to prepare before matches.”
🚨 Daniel Alves: "The whole world wanted Argentina to lose because of Messi and that proves how great he truly is.
🗣️ Daniel Alves
The reaction to Argentina losing the World Cup final shows how badly some people wanted Messi to fail. That's the price of greatness. When you're the best at what you do for so many years, people stop judging you fairly they start waiting for you to fall.
I've played with Messi. I know the kind of person he is. The criticism he's getting isn't because he suddenly became a worse player. It's because he's been setting the standard for almost two decades. Greatness attracts admiration, but it also attracts jealousy and endless expectations.
I understand that football is emotional and everyone supports different teams, but some of the attacks have gone too far. Argentina lost to a brilliant Spain side, but that doesn't erase everything Messi has done for football or for his country. He doesn't need to prove anything to anyone anymore.
The greatest players are always the most talked about whether they win or lose. That's why Messi remains at the centre of every conversation. His legacy was built long before this final, and one defeat will never change that.
@messi10_rey “Records are just about trying to achieve group goals.” Leo’s new World Cup interview is ready with captions and translations,...
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nunca pensé ver así a scaloni teniendo que abandonar la conferencia porque no dejaba de llorar, con todo y fallas es y será el mejor dt que tuvimos, AIMAR POR FAVOR CONVENCELO DE QUEDARSE
🚨Lionel Messi was asked why he was emotional after Argentina’s victory over England to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final.
🎙️ Reporter: “Leo, we saw you in tears after the final whistle. Why did this one mean so much?”
🗣️ Lionel Messi:
“Because this wasn’t an easy match. During the game, I could hear them telling each other, ‘Double up on him… go for his legs… don’t let him turn.’ They tried everything to make life difficult for me, and that’s football. I understand it.
England are a very strong team. They made us suffer for long periods. There were moments when it felt like every touch I took had two or three players around me.
But this Argentina team doesn’t know how to give up. That’s our greatest strength. Even when things become difficult, nobody drops their head. We keep believing until the very end.
When I looked at the scoreboard and saw there were less than ten minutes left, I felt a rush through my body. I told myself, ‘This is the moment. We have to find one more chance.’
That’s why I never stop asking for the ball. In matches like these, one pass, one movement or one decision can change everything.
The tears came because I know what this means to our people. I saw our supporters in the stands, I thought about my family and I thought about everyone in Argentina who has been with us through every high and every low.
Reaching another World Cup final is something very special, but our work isn’t finished. We didn’t come here just to reach the final. We came here to try and bring the World Cup back to Argentina one more time.”
🚨Lautaro Martínez was asked about Lionel Messi’s influence during Argentina’s World Cup semi-final victory over England.
🎙️ Reporter: “Lautaro, can you tell us what Lionel Messi said to you after you came on?”
🗣️ Lautaro Martínez:
“People see the assists, the dribbles and the magic, but they don’t see what Leo does with his words.
When I came onto the pitch, he walked over to me and said, ‘Attack the space between the defenders. Go for the headers. Keep making those runs.’
I tried it the first time and it didn’t work. I looked at him, and instead of telling me to change, he kept giving me signs to keep believing. He knew the opportunity would come.
We were 1–1 with less than five minutes to play. Leo looked at the scoreboard, then looked straight at me and nodded. He didn’t even have to speak. I knew exactly what he wanted. I knew the assignment.
That’s what makes him different. He sees the game before everyone else. He knows where the space will open, and he gives you the confidence to attack it without hesitation.
Playing with him is incredible because he doesn’t only create chances with his feet. He creates belief in every player around him.
At 39 years old, he’s still leading Argentina in the biggest matches, still deciding games and still showing us why he’s the greatest footballer I’ve ever seen.
We’re in another World Cup final because once again, when Argentina needed someone to guide us, Lionel Messi was that man.”
Have you learned your lesson yet, Bellingham? Or did you forget who you were trying to provoke? If you’re still wondering, just ask Madrid. Real Madrid and Atlético Madrid know the answer very well.
From the first minute, you were trying to steal the headlines. You kept provoking Messi, and every time the camera found you, you wore that smug smile.
Paredes barely gave you any space all game, and Messi took care of the rest.
He put on a masterclass, led Argentina to another comeback, and sent England home.
Messi has been England’s nightmare for years—whether it’s English players, English clubs, or the England national team.
And Bellingham…
Now you know what happens when you try to provoke the King. 👑