Lionel Messi spoke about Argentina’s hard-fought win over Ecuador, highlighting the quality and physicality of the Ecuadorian players. The discussion came from the team press office in Argentina, reflecting the country’s pride in its champions.
Messi acknowledged the challenge: there were capable players on Ecuador’s side who know how to play and push physically throughout the match. He admitted to feeling a bit fatigued yet content with the performance. Argentina, fresh from recently securing the world title, must continue to compete and prepare for the next world championship. The group’s mindset remains collective: everyone is behind Argentina. Messi added that opponents would try to outplay him, but the team is even more determined now to push forward and defend their status as world champions.
Ahead of this game, Messi had accumulated 175 appearances for the national team, scoring 103 goals and providing 56 assists in those games. In 2022, he played a pivotal role as Argentina captured the World Cup in Qatar, with the striker earning recognition as the tournament’s best player according to official results and awards.
Messi’s club career path shows a move from Paris Saint-Germain to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner began his United States chapter by delivering a memorable debut, curling a free kick into the net in the first leg. The current streak of consecutive wins for his team concluded at nine matches after that initial burst of momentum.
There was also an official note about substitution: for the first time in nine years, Messi was replaced in an official national team match, marking a rare moment in his long international career. The broader context emphasizes the ongoing evolution of Argentina’s golden generation and Messi’s continued influence on the field and in the locker room, as the squad looks ahead to future challenges and opportunities on the global stage. The dialogue around this victory reflects a enduring belief in the team’s capability to compete at the highest level and to honor their status as current world champions, while also recognizing the need for sustained effort and strategic preparation for forthcoming competitions. This narrative underscores the mix of achievement and ongoing pursuit that defines Argentina’s football story today, with Messi at the center of it all as the icon and the heart of the squad.