Messi Reflects on Qatar World Cup Quarterfinal and Beyond
Argentine forward Lionel Messi spoke about the World Cup showdown with the Netherlands in Qatar, with his remarks quoted by L’Equipe. He noted that in the days leading up to the match, some voices had been loud and even troublesome, pointing to comments from the manager and a player who attended the pre‑match press conference.
Messi described what he viewed as unusual and unfair conduct during the game, particularly during the penalty shootouts. He emphasized that after that night, Argentina was cast as the villain, yet he stressed that much more had occurred that evening than the final storyline suggested.
In the 2022 World Cup quarterfinal, Argentina advanced after a late‑regulation draw of 2‑2 and a successful penalty shootout against the Netherlands. Messi converted a key penalty in the second half of the match, and at one point he cupped his ears toward the opposing crowd following his goal. He also referenced Louis van Gaal, the Netherlands’ mentor, in describing the emotional tension surrounding the clash.
The journey culminated with Argentina defeating France in a penalty shootout to claim the title, marking the nation’s first world championship. Messi contributed to the scoring and carried himself with the leadership expected of a captain who guided his team through the high‑pressure moments of the tournament.
Earlier in the tournament, Messi had spoken about his lingering connection with Barcelona, noting that returning to the club was not a certainty at that time. His reflections underscore a career defined by persistent drive, high expectations from supporters, and a constant readiness to face new challenges on the global stage. The World Cup narrative in Qatar highlighted not only Argentina’s triumph but also the enduring presence of Messi at the center of international football and the way his performances shape the broader conversation around the sport.