Lionel Messi appeared on the verge of tears as he shared a beautiful moment with a World Cup TV reporter in Qatar.
Argentina soccer host Sofia Martinez had a sweet message for the 35-year-old after Argentina’s 3-0 win over Croatia in Wednesday’s semi-final.
The Paris Saint-Germain star, a reporter for Television Publica, was clearly emotional with her speech, which has now gone viral around the world.
In a message that millions of people wanted to convey to the legendary player, Martinez told him how much he was appreciated by his fans in his native Argentina and around the world.
“The last thing I want to tell you, it’s not a question, but I just wanted to say; The World Cup finals are approaching and we are all confident [Argentinians] I want to win the cup,” said Martinez. “I want to tell you that no matter what the results are, there is something that no one can take away from you, and that is that you resonate with every one of the Argentines. I’m serious.
“There is no child without your team shirt. It doesn’t matter if it’s fake, real or fictitious. You really have left your mark on everyone’s life and that’s more than winning any World Cup for me. No one can take that away from you, and it’s my gratitude for the happiness you’ve brought to so many people.
“I hope you take these words to heart, because I believe that this is more important than winning the World Cup, and you already have, so thank you captain.”
A teary-eyed Messi listened to Martinez’s praise with a smile.
There were special moments inside the Lusail Stadium after Messi converted and assisted teammate Julian Alvarez’s penalty against Croatia.
A Twitter version of the video has more than 1.4 million views, while a YouTube clip of the entire interview has more than a million views.
According to one fan’s rough translation, Messi’s response was just as beautiful.
“Thank you very much, the truth is I felt it, I felt it the whole time,” he said. “For the kindness and the kindness of the people and for the Cup and because we have a great time with them (the fans).
“I think this group (the team) wants to win the championship more than any of us and for things to work out in the best possible way, they did the intangible work from the Copa America to get here. It’s nice to come into this World Cup and get knocked down in the first game (losing to Saudi Arabia) and then bounce back and make it to the final.
“I think this group has been exemplary from start to finish and I hope everything will be fine, but in football anything can happen and I believe we Argentines have learned that, it’s not just about the result, it’s about going all the way. past to go there.
“Before, we only valued winning or losing more, and today I feel that people appreciate more, and the last thing is that we have no doubt that we will continue to play the way we are. We have the last five shots it’s like we’ve passed the yin.”
Martinez posted an extended version of their exchange on his Instagram page, which shows him pleading with the soccer icon to continue playing until the 2026 World Cup.
“Thank you captain. That’s what I wanted to tell you,” he wrote on Instagram.
“And no result is more important than the magic of watching the defense of that flag. No matter what, you have pierced all of our lives and hearts. I wish you knew. It was an extraordinary experience to be here and to be able to tell before the end of the World Cup. His heart is in his hand, his eyes are full of tears.”
Messi and Argentina will play in the World Cup final on Sunday against France, who defeated Morocco in the quarter-finals.
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