Footage circulating on social media has sparked considerable debate, as Argentina captain Lionel Messi was seen giving a brief address to his teammates inside the MetLife Stadium tunnel before the kickoff of the 2026 World Cup final against Spain last Sunday.
In a conversation in the tunnel, Messi repeated the phrase: "Let's forget everything, and just focus on playing," words that sparked speculation about the atmosphere leading up to the final.
Footage has shown several Argentine players in a visibly tense state, with Enzo Fernández and some of his teammates displaying expressions of displeasure and discomfort before stepping onto the pitch.
Reports indicate that Lionel Messi has told his teammates in the locker room that the final match will be his last in the Argentina shirt, which may have affected the team's mental state.
Conversely, other reports have indicated that there are pressures and administrative and geopolitical crises surrounding the team before the final, without any official confirmation linking them to what happened inside the tunnel or the players' mental state.
So far, all these narratives remain within the realm of speculation, as no official statement has been issued to confirm the true reasons behind what appeared to be clear tension within the Argentina national team's camp before the final match, which the Tango lost 1-0.
