Despite Lionel Messi losing the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, Softfootball has revisited the archives to highlight one of the most emotional speeches of Messi’s career, his unforgettable words before the 2021 Copa América final.
In that moment, Messi spoke with passion, unity, and deep respect for teammates who made personal sacrifices during the tournament. He highlighted Dibu Martínez, who became a father during the competition but had not yet held his daughter, and El Chino, who also spent limited time with his newborn.
This was Messi’s exact statement:
“45 days without seeing our family. 45 days! Dibu became a father. He became a dad and couldn’t see his daughter yet. He couldn’t hold her yet. The same with El Chino. He could only see her for a little while. And all of this for what, boys? For this moment. Because we had a target, boys.
We had a goal and we are a little step away from achieving it. Just a step away and you know what is best of all? It all depends on us. It’s up to us to win this cup. Let’s lift that cup and we are going to take her to Argentina to enjoy with our family, our friends, the people who always supported us.
There is no such thing as chance, gentlemen. God brought her here. God brought it here for us to raise at the Maracanã. So, let us leave confident and calm, we are going to take this one home!”
Argentina went on to defeat Brazil 1–0 in the final on 10 July 2021 at the Maracanã Stadium in Rio de Janeiro. It was Argentina’s 15th Copa América title, ending a 28‑year major trophy drought — and marking Lionel Messi’s first senior international trophy with the national team.
