ATLANTA — Lautaro Martínez told a visibly emotional Lionel Messi to enjoy the moment following Argentina‘s 3-2 triumph over Egypt on Tuesday to qualify for the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup.
Messi began crying when the final whistle blew to seal the Argentina comeback from two goals down at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, as teammates gathered around the captain to celebrate the result in what is likely the last World Cup in which he will play.
“Honestly, I’m just so happy we made it through and about the way we did it,” Messi said. “Things got tough at 2-0, so it was incredibly exciting to turn it around once again. We suffered a lot, but that’s the World Cup for you, every match is playing out the same way, everything is so evenly matched.
“So yeah, I’m really happy.”
The defending World Cup champions carried Messi and threw him into the air at the center of the field before they all embraced each other after another remarkable comeback.
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“[Messi’s leadership] is reflected on the pitch. Everything he shows us on a day-to-day basis I will save for myself but he’s incredible. He’s our guide, our inspiration, our leader,” Martinez said. “Today, watching his run like that and in the end seeing him emotional, I told him on the field to enjoy it because he deserves it.
“I told him we would give everything for ourselves, but more for him because it’s his last World Cup and he’s given us a lot.”
Manager Lionel Scaloni was also overcome with emotion after the final whistle, crying alongside Messi. Despite his veteran status, Messi continues to confound his age and Scaloni said the Inter Miami CF forward is simply making as many memories as possible before calling time on his career.
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“I’m very emotional, the players call me the crybaby. I even teared up in the dressing room,” Scaloni said after the game. “But the players also feel many emotions, they are playing for their country, but this was unforgettable and one of the best moments.
“Messi showed it too. I don’t know if the emotion is on the same level as the World Cup final, I can’t be in Messi’s head, but he plays football for moments like this. He loves playing, feeling the ball, feeling the emotion and we want him to enjoy this for every final moment because once you retire, you regret it for the rest of your life.
“I don’t know how many times you have this feeling of a team that never gives up in adversity, but that is this team and sometimes tactics are forgotten and you just go for it.”
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Cristian Romero led Argentina’s comeback against Egypt before Messi found the back of the net in the 83rd minute to mark his eighth goal of the tournament. Messi now has a goal in a record six World Cup knockout matches, and extended his record by scoring in his ninth-straight World Cup game.
Messi’s goal put him back atop the standing for the Golden Boot, one ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, who have both scored seven times at this year’s World Cup. Messi has scored 125 goals for Argentina across 204 games since debuting with the national team in 2005.
“About Leo, there are no more words to describe him. The World Cup he’s having is impressive. We’re trying to help him, accompany him and enjoy every moment alongside him,” Julián Álvarez said after the game. “We want to thank him for everything he does for us, for how he is with us.
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“He’s a legend, the best player in the world.”
Argentina will face the winner of the match between Switzerland and Colombia on July 11 in Kansas City, Missouri.
ESPN writer Mark Ogden contributed to this report.
