Messi responds to critics: "Nothing is given for free"

Argentina defeated England 2-1 in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, reaching the final for the second consecutive time. Lionel Messi responded to claims that FIFA is helping the team after the victory, emphasizing that all results are achieved through character and hard work on the pitch.

"The result we achieved is incredible"

Messi highlighted the path Argentina has taken in recent years. In his opinion, reaching consecutive major finals cannot be explained by luck or external help.

"What our team is doing is incredible. Five finals. We won the last World Cup, we have been the strongest team for four years, and we are in the final again."

As the reigning world champion, Argentina has won all seven of its matches in the 2026 tournament. The team will face Spain in the final.

A sharp response to claims of FIFA help

Some refereeing decisions in favor of Argentina throughout the tournament sparked debates on social media. Especially after the knockout matches against Egypt and Switzerland, unsubstantiated claims spread that the team was being intentionally helped. Reuters covered these controversies, but no evidence was provided to confirm that Argentina received systematic assistance.

Messi responded to these claims with the team's results.

"No matter what anyone says, no matter how much they try to hurt us, we are achieving everything through our character and our game. Nothing is given for free on the pitch."

According to him, Argentina overcame difficulties at every stage and earned its place in the final by fighting against its opponents.

Messi decided it again against England

England opened the scoring in the 55th minute of the semi-final and were very close to the final. However, Argentina applied heavy pressure in the final minutes and changed the course of the match.

In the 85th minute, Enzo Fernández equalized after a pass from Messi. In the 90+2 minute, Lautaro Martínez scored the winning goal after another pass from the Argentine captain.

Although the 39-year-old Messi did not score, he became the main participant in the comeback with two decisive assists. His number of assists in World Cups reached a record 12.

Why does Argentina always fight until the end?

Scaloni's team has changed the result in the final minutes several times in this World Cup. The goals scored against England brought the number of goals Argentina has scored after the 79th minute in the tournament to 11.

This number shows the team's main strength: Argentina does not give up even when the game plan is not working. Experience, the impact of substitute players, and Messi's ability to change the situation in an instant have led the reigning champion to the final again.

Now Spain is ahead

On July 19, Argentina will face Spain for the World Cup title. Spain defeated France 2-0 to reach the final and has conceded only one goal in the tournament so far. Argentina, on the other hand, is the most prolific team in the competition with 19 goals.

If Argentina wins, it will become the first national team to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. For Messi, this could be his second World Cup title and the fourth in Argentina's history.

The final answer will be given in the final

Messi responded to the criticism not with a long explanation or excuse, but by saying that nothing is given for free on the pitch.

Argentina escaped defeat against England and showed its character once again. Now the team's strongest answer to the claims could be a victory over Spain and a second consecutive World Cup title.

Do you think Argentina reached the final on its own merits, or is there a basis for the criticism regarding refereeing?