Superstar Lionel Messi freed his Argentina team-mates of burden en route to World Cup immortality – according to close friend Pablo Zabaleta.
The 35-year-old scored twice during the pulsating showpiece with France before his nation secured glory on penalties after the sides battled to a 3-3 draw through extra time. Messi and Zabaleta both suffered heartache in Brazil eight years ago when they lost the Final to Germany. However, the man many believe to have cemented his status as the greatest player of all time has continuously made it his mission to inspire his team-mates who were well hell-bent on winning it for the man they idolised. Papu Gomez previously revealed Messi had him in tears when he addressed his team before last year's Copa America Final.
Zabaleta revealed his close pal made it his mission eight years ago to take the pressure away and repeated the trick in Qatar. He said: "We all expected Leo to win everything with Argentina, there was so much pressure on him. He is not a person who likes to talk too much, but he said a few words before the final against Germany. As a leader of the team, you do not need to speak all the time. Everyone is different. As a leader, sometimes you do not need to speak too much but then there is a right moment to talk to someone, and that is the moment to say something and everyone listens. Guys, we are in the World Cup final. No matter if we win or we lose, let us enjoy the game.’ That, coming from Leo, who has played in France finals and is one of the greatest players in the world. He knew that day and that game was special – it was a dream for him being in the World Cup final.”
And there are set to be more moments of Messi magic in the colours of Argentina and boss Lionel Scaloni admits he will keep the door open for his iconic talisman to repeat the feat in 2026.
He said: "We need to save him for the next World Cup – 2026. If he wants to keep playing, he will be with us. He is more than entitled to decide what he wants to do with his career now."
