Messi: ‘It never crossed my mind not to be in the top four’ — Argentina captain sets sights on final glory

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Lionel Messi has never doubted Argentina’s place among the world’s elite. Not for a moment. Not even when his team trailed England with just minutes remaining in the World Cup semi-final.

“It never crossed my mind not to be among the top 4 teams in this World Cup,” Messi declared after Argentina’s stunning 2-1 comeback victory in Atlanta. “This World Cup is madness and being in another Final is incredible.”

The 39-year-old captain, who assisted both late goals against England, will now lead his country into a record-equalling seventh World Cup final – a 96-year-old Argentine institution that has seen the nation lift the trophy three times.

A Message to Argentina

Speaking after the match, Messi turned his attention to the millions watching back home – and delivered a message that echoed his words from Qatar three years ago.

“To the Argentinians I say the same as in Qatar: enjoy it, this team never lets you down,” he said.

The sentiment carries weight. Argentina have now reached at least the semi-finals in every major tournament since Lionel Scaloni took charge in 2018 – five in total, with three titles already secured. Against England, they trailed for 30 minutes before Fernández’s 85th-minute thunderbolt and Martínez’s 92nd-minute header completed another improbable turnaround.

One Win from History

Sunday’s final against Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey offers Argentina the chance to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups. It will be Messi’s third World Cup final appearance, equalling the record held by Brazil’s Cafu.

The 39-year-old has already rewritten the record books in this tournament – eight goals, four assists, 21 chances created, and more World Cup appearances than any player in history. But for Messi, the numbers have never been the point.

“He always wants the best for Argentina, and this type of player always competes and wants to win,” former Argentina striker Javier Saviola said recently.

‘This Team Never Lets You Down’

Argentina’s path to the final has been anything but smooth. They needed late equalizers against Cape Verde in the round of 32 and Egypt in the last 16 before prevailing in extra time. Against Switzerland in the quarter-finals, they required extra time once more.

Each time, they found a way.

“Just as we were losing and about to head home, the team showed all its skill and all its potential,” Scaloni said after the England match. “The shirt demands it.”

Now, one more performance stands between Messi and a second World Cup trophy – and between Argentina and a place alongside the true dynasties of the sport.