Messi Reveals Real Reason Behind Tears After Argentina Comeback Win

(Messi has tears in his eyes. Photo by Punch News)

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has explained that his tears following Tuesday’s World Cup comeback win over Egypt stemmed from guilt over a missed penalty rather than pure joy at reaching the quarter-finals.

Argentina came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, with Messi missing a first-half penalty before recovering to set up Cristian Romero’s goal, score the equaliser himself, and see Enzo Fernandez complete the comeback deep into stoppage time.

Speaking after the match, Messi said the missed spot-kick weighed on him for the rest of the game, explaining that he cried because he felt he had let his teammates down, both because of the penalty he missed and the manner in which he took it.

He added that, thankfully, God once again had something special in store for him in the end, saying he was very happy with how things turned out.

He said the team’s refusal to accept elimination was what carried them through, stating that they neither wanted nor deserved to go home, and that they could not let the match end that way. He said the group truly deserved to keep going, insisting that they never give up, at all.

Messi’s penalty was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the 20th minute, moments after Yasser Ibrahim had put Egypt ahead.

Egypt then extended their lead through Mostafa Zico before Messi turned the game around, teeing up Romero and then scoring himself in the 83rd minute to draw Argentina level, before Fernandez struck the winning goal.

The equaliser was Messi’s eighth goal of the tournament, returning him to the top of the Golden Boot standings ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, and extending his record of scoring in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches.

Messi was overcome with emotion at the final whistle in what is widely expected to be his last World Cup appearance.

Argentina will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on July 11 in Kansas City.