Fresh footage of Lionel Messi 's pre-match and half-time team talks has reignited debate over whether Argentina entered the 2026 FIFA World Cup final carrying more baggage than just the weight of defending their title.
The newly surfaced videos, recorded inside the dressing room and players' tunnel before Sunday's final against Spain, have prompted widespread fan speculation after Messi repeatedly urged his teammates to "forget everything" and focus solely on football.
The footage has gone viral after Argentina produced one of their most subdued performances under Lionel Scaloni, eventually losing 0-1 after extra time to Spain at MetLife Stadium.
While Spain dominated proceedings throughout, Argentina failed to register a meaningful attacking threat for long periods, with their first shot arriving only deep into extra time.
Messi's repeated message raises questions
The first video, filmed moments before the players left the dressing room, shows Messi attempting to calm an unusually tense-looking squad.
"Calm, let's stay calm, lads. Let's think about playing, nothing else. Stay calm. Let's forget about everything, let's forget about everything. Let's focus on playing," the Argentina captain told his teammates.
Another clip from the tunnel captures Messi delivering a similar message moments before kick-off.
"Come on, boys, let's forget what happened, as if nothing had happened," Messi was heard telling his teammates.
The wording immediately caught the attention of supporters, particularly because several players — including Lisandro Martinez and Enzo Fernandez — appeared visibly emotional and unusually subdued.
Martinez was later forced off injured during the first half, while Fernandez was sent off late in normal time after receiving a second yellow card.
Half-time rally alongside Emiliano Martinez
Messi's leadership continued during the interval as television cameras picked up another motivational speech before Argentina returned for the second half.
"Come on, lads. Personality, people, personality. We've always had it, so why wouldn't we have it now? We have the personality to play," Messi urged.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also attempted to inspire the squad with an equally passionate message, saying, "With heart, lads. Let's move forward, not backward... Only cowards play backward."
Despite the rallying cries, Argentina struggled to impose themselves before Ferran Torres eventually scored the winner in the 106th minute.
The unusual nature of Messi's comments has triggered numerous theories on social media. Adding to the mystery, Scaloni remarked after the final that "things happened" before the match but declined to elaborate "out of respect for the tournament."
Emotional aftermath
Messi later reflected on the defeat in an emotional Instagram message.
"The pain is immense, and it will take time for this wound to heal," he wrote. "But I also hold on to all the good... this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals."
Midfielder Rodrigo De Paul also dismissed accusations surrounding Argentina's tournament run, criticising those who spread "baseless conspiracy theories" during the World Cup.
For now, the viral footage has only deepened intrigue. Messi's repeated plea to "forget everything" remains unexplained.
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