SUMMARY
- Before winning the world cup 2022, in the first game in Qatar, Messi's Argentina was defeated by the most unlikely opponents, Saudi Arabia.
- A recent clip has emerged that has revealed how Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni dealt with the defeat.
Lionel Messi achieved the ultimate glory in soccer when he helped Argentina become World Champions a couple of years ago. It was the only trophy that was missing in Messi’s cabinet, and the one that he most desired. However, before going all the way and winning the World Cup 2022, Messi’s Argentina was dealt a huge blow in their opening fixture.
Heading into the tournament, Argentina was on a 36-game unbeaten streak and arrived in Qatar in splendid form. However, in the first game in Qatar, Messi’s Argentina was defeated by the most unlikely opponents, Saudi Arabia. Argentina’s defeat was surely one of the biggest ever shocks in World Cup and soccer history. However, a recent clip has emerged that has revealed how Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni dealt with the defeat.
In the video, Scaloni was spotted talking to his assistant while traveling in a car. Despite the defeat, Scaloni appeared to be calm and perfectly explained how Argentina should recover from the result. Scaloni explained that his players were struggling to cope with the defeat since they hadn’t lost in their last 36 matches. He further pointed out that the Argentine fans also appeared to be defeated during the Saudi Arabia match.
📹😳 Unedited video of Lionel Scaloni right after the loss against Saudi Arabia with English subtitles.
You can’t miss this. WOW pic.twitter.com/5qMZnhgINt
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) January 22, 2024
However, the Argentine head coach added, “Unfortunately or positively, it happened. And if we recover, stay calm, then we will go and compete. And beware, be careful if we recover. Because if after receiving this knock you recover, my friend, Now there is no one to stop us.” Scaloni’s words proved to be right all along, as Lionel Messi led his team to their third World Cup title in Qatar.
Lionel Messi delivered a bold message after Saudi Arabia defeat
While Argentina’s defeat against Saudi Arabia came as a massive shock, Lionel Messi appeared to be unperturbed. The Argentine skipper opened the scoring against Saudi Arabia, but quickfire goals from Saleh Alshehri and Salem Aldawasari helped the World Cup minnows to a historic victory. Nevertheless, Messi displayed his nerves of steel during an interview after the match.
Leo Messi: “We didn’t expect to loose that way but there are no excuses. We are going to be more united than ever. This team is strong & we’ve shown it before. Now we have to win or win, it depends on us. I ask the fans to trust us. This group will not let them down.” pic.twitter.com/HFAkjbPNFF
— Hitesh © (@FCBHitesh) November 22, 2022
Messi admitted that the result was a shock and that there were no excuses for Argentina’s defeat. However, the 36-year-old stated, “We are going to be more united than ever. This group is strong, and we have shown it.” Moreover, Messi also promised the Argentina supporters that his team wouldn’t leave them stranded. Like Scaloni, Messi also ended up delivering on his promise.
Rodri De Paul reveals Lionel Messi’s chilling words after Saudi Arabia defeat
Meanwhile, Lionel Messi’s compatriot Rodri De Paul also revealed how calm Lionel Messi was after Argentina’s shock defeat against Saudi Arabia. Following the match, Messi and his men were severely trolled for their dismal performance. In addition to this, the defeat put Messi’s Argentina under huge pressure especially because they were considered to be one of the favorites in the tournament.
In an interview, De Paul revealed how he had a discussion with his skipper days before Argentina’s second match against Mexico. De Paul told the Inter Miami star about how Argentina could be eliminated from the tournament if they lost against Mexico. To which, Messi simply replied, “It’s not the last.” Once again, Messi’s words proved to be true as Messi’s Argentina defeated France on penalties in the final and were crowned World Champions.
