"We have to enjoy this triumph, we don't know how long it will be before it happens again"

At the end of Argentina's 2-0 win over Panama at the Estadio Monumental, Leo Messi took the floor in the centre of the pitch in a speech, in which he gave "thanks for all the affection" from the fans and had a great gesture for the players who could not be there for Argentina's third World Cup title.

"It's our day, but I don't want to forget all those team-mates I had before and who also did everything we could to win this trophy and, unfortunately, it didn't happen or we were very close," said the Rosarino, who added: "They also deserve the recognition of the Argentinean people; they gave everything for this jersey".

The Ballon d'Or winner at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar acknowledged that "personally" he "always dreamed of this moment", of celebrating "a Copa America, the Finalissima and the greatest thing there is: the World Cup" in front of the Argentinean public.

He also recalled that "it is very difficult to win the World Cup", so he asked all the fans to enjoy "this", as "we don't know how long it will be" before adding another star to their crest, he said.

 

March 24, 2023