Doubt has settled in the minds of the Argentines, as the major players of the selection confided.
Crowned world champion after an epic final against the France team (3-3, 4-2 tab), Argentina went through all the stages during the great adventure in Qatar. Almost a year ago, Lionel Scaloni’s team fell from a very high point for its entry into the tournament, with a surprise defeat against Saudi Arabia (1-2).
A setback which has long haunted the Albiceleste executives, starting with Lionel Messi. “ It was a very hard moment, because we didn’t expect to start the tournament like this. It had been 36 games since we had lost and, a priori, we had to win this match because, on paper, it was the most affordable team in the group, even if I always respected all our opponents“, explained the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner in his interview for France Football.
Doubt and nervousness within the Argentina team
Messi insists, recalling that he “there was a lot of uncertainty » after this disillusionment. “ Even though we had confidence and were sure of our strengths, this poor result generated doubts and nervousness.’
Same story for Emiliano Martinez, another hero of the selection. “ For my World Cup debut, conceding two goals from two shots against Saudi Arabia (1-2) was very painful. After that, I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I would wake up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat thinking of having to go home having failed. But I didn’t want to leave so quickly…“. Fortunately for Messi and Martinez, the outcome, known to all, was happier…
