"I Know The Players": Messi Namedrops Barcelona In Big Remark On WC Final

All that remains behind Lionel Messi and a second consecutive FIFA World Cup title is Spain, a side that Lionel Messi knows quite well. Messi spent a major part of his career at Barcelona and during that time, he played with a number of members of the current Spain squad. Following Argentina's brilliant comeback win over England in the semifinal, Messi was asked about his next opponents and he described Spain as one of the most complete teams in international football. “They are a tremendous team with outstanding players and great style of play—a team I know well. “It's a football philosophy; they've been playing this way for many years, and I know the players,” he said.

Messi also spoke about his bond with barcelona and revealed that he still follows the side and its players.

“I also know the players. I've faced many of them before, and I still follow them. Some play for Barca, a club I've always loved and continue to follow,” Messi said.

Earlier, Messi hit back at critics alleging FIFA favouritism toward Argentina, asserting that reaching a second consecutive World Cup final proves his side is among the best in the world and that their success is "not by chance."

Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, with the help of two Messi assists, struck the late goals in a dramatic turnaround in Atlanta after Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute goal to take Argentina closer to retaining their world crown.

Argentina's journey to defend their title has been filled with controversies as referees made several debatable calls that seemed to favour them. But Messi completely dismissed the claims that the tournament was biased in their favour.

"It hurts whoever it hurts… We've been the best for the last four years, whether people like it or not, no matter what they say. Once again, we're among the two best in the world, and that shows that everything we've done isn't by chance and nobody gave us anything. Reaching two consecutive World Cup finals is something few achieve, and this group did it," the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner stated, taking a clear jab at the critics.

"If we had lost to England, people would have come out and said some nonsense, and we didn't give them the chance. We knew that we were better than them in terms of football , but a lot is at stake in a match of this magnitude, where historic events happen in these games," he added.

Messi also dedicated the win to the legendary Diego Maradona, who had famously headlined the clash between Argentina and the Three Lions in the World Cup quarter-final 40 years ago.

"Without a doubt, Diego is enjoying this immensely from up there because today was a very special day for him; to be able to give him this joy and for him to experience it however he wants from up there. Let him enjoy it because it's a gift for him too," he concluded.

Source: NDTV Trending