Messi: “We are a group that never tires of competing, of believing and that never gives up”

The Argentine international footballer Lionel Messi has described the current ‘Albiceleste’ as “a group that never tires of competing, of believing, of trying” and also “that never gives up”, giving “one more example of character” until beating Egypt by an agonizing 3-2 in the round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“It is true that with the 2 to 0 it had become ugly. But nothing, this group demonstrates once again what I have repeated many times and I know because I know it and I know the entire team inside: a group that does not tire of competing, of believing, of trying, that never lowers its arms and today is another example of character,” declared Leo Messi this Tuesday from the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia (United States).

“It was crazy, incredible what we experienced and to end up suffering like this once again. It had gotten ugly with the 2-0, I think we had played a good game and that with the penalty… if I had taken the penalty, the dynamics of the game would change. We were good, we were creating for them, after the penalty we also created clear situations for them like Alexis’ [Mac Allister] and Juli’s [Álvarez]”he stressed.

“As I said the other time, it is an honor to be next to them, to compete on the field against whoever the rival is. It was not easy to overcome a 2-0 in a World Cup qualifying round, and how the games are going, no one gives you anything. And thank God, we did it once again,” the Argentine star insisted in the mixed zone.

He then continued praising his teammates. “Thanks to them I am on the field also because I know that they make an extra sacrifice, that they make it for the moments when I run less. But I know that they do it from the heart and naturally because it comes out to them, because they feel it. As I repeated several times, I am happy within this group,” he added.

“It’s been a long time since we spent time with my family, I haven’t seen my wife and my children, I have my dad in Argentina with my mom and my brothers. Just the other day in Miami I was there for an afternoon to see my family. But we enjoyed being together, we had a good time and we know what we’re here for. It’s been seven or eight years since this group gave me a lot of happiness, which we’ve been enjoying and it couldn’t end today,” he commented after reaching the quarterfinals.

“I think we still had a little more left to continue competing. We are here for what we always say: to compete against anyone. With mistakes and with successes, but always leaving everything on the field and always trying like we did today,” Messi reiterated.

Not in vain, he cried after the referee’s final whistle. “The truth is that it was a relief, a relief for everyone. As I said just now, I was very angry about the missed penalty, about how I kicked it. I felt that at an important moment I had failed the group,” Messi acknowledged.

“Luckily I had something special in store for me again at the end. I was able to score the tying goal, a very great relief and enormous happiness for us, for these people who came once again and show every day what we are as Argentines,” he said in this regard.

“I have said it many times, that I am grateful for the affection from everyone that I have always received, and even more so when it comes to professional colleagues. And to talk about my colleagues… who I already know have been showing me for years with words and actions. I am happy and proud to compete alongside this group because it is something very nice to experience, what we experience internally. So very happy,” Messi concluded.