Messi’s Tears, De Paul’s Mate, and Argentina’s Quest for Glory

When Argentina turned a 2‑0 deficit into a World Cup quarter‑final victory, Lionel Messi’s eyes welled up. The moments of joy were intertwined with raw emotion, echoing his earlier khóc after his father’s health scare and later the anguish of missing a crucial penalty against Egypt.

For Messi, the tournament now feels like a emotional crossroads. He hints that this could be his final World Cup, yet the squad’s support promises to delay that day. The blend of relief, pressure, family ties, and the devotion of teammates creates a unique backdrop for one of football’s modern icons.

De Paul: The Quiet Anchor of the Dressing Room

Rodrigo De Paul has become the confidant Messi trusts more than anyone else. Their bond began one training afternoon when De Paul noticed Messi looking subdued, knocked on his door, and asked, “Fancy a mate and a game of truco?”

The ritual evolved into a daily routine: mate is brewed each morning in De Paul’s room, with Leo the first to arrive, followed by the rest of the squad in strict order. De Paul sometimes calls Messi “El Pequeno,” treating him like an equal rather than a legend, because that’s what Messi often wants—to be Leo, not the icon.

On the pitch, Messi leads while De Paul stands beside him, the rest of the team spreading out behind like a street gang protecting its leader. This dynamic has turned the squad into a tight‑knit unit where Messi feels both celebrated and grounded.

Training, Diet and the Speed Gains Behind the Legend

Manager Lionel Scaloni crafted a system that lets Messi thrive, pairing patient, collective play with relentless preparation. The forward now trains in double sessions with De Paul and follows an obsessive nutrition plan that has boosted his top speed by roughly 5 % compared to Qatar.

During matches he spends about 47 % of the time walking and has covered only 631  metres at maximum speed across the tournament, yet he remains the World Cup’s top scorer. Messi’s ten goal involvements in 2022 and again this year place him among only two players in history—Messi and Mbappé—to achieve 10+ involvements in two different tournaments.

Argentina’s recent trophy haul—four titles in this cycle including two Copa Américas, a World Cup and a Finalissima—underscores the effectiveness of Scaloni’s approach. The manager’s willingness to let Messi dictate his position, whether on the right wing or central, forces the team to adapt and creates space for players like De Paul to exploit.

Argentina’s World Cup Anthem: A New Legacy for Leo

In Argentina, football is more than sport; it carries the weight of national identity. The Diego Maradona‑Messi thread runs through generations, each iconic performance seen as proof that the country belongs among the elite.

After every win, the squad sings “La Cuarta Estrella,” a song dedicated to Messi that also settles a historic score for Maradona. The lyrics speak of a fourth star shining on the jersey, promising that “La Scaloneta” will avenge the cup stolen in 1990 and see Messi’s final outing crowned with triumph.

The gesture is unprecedented: a player already considered a legend celebrated by his teammates while still playing alongside them. When Leandro Paredes saw Messi in tears, the embrace was not just comfort but a reminder that the group would leave everything on the pitch to ensure his last World Cup never arrives.

What This Means for Argentina’s Future

The emotional depth shown by Messi, the solidarity forged through De Paul’s daily mate rituals, and the strategic tweaks by Scaloni suggest a model that could sustain success beyond this tournament. With four trophies already in the current era, the groundwork is laid for more silverware as long as the squad continues to protect its leader both on and off the field.

The combination of youthful camaraderie and high‑level preparation demonstrates that Argentina has unlocked the best version of Messi at a pivotal moment in his career. If the team can keep this chemistry intact, the next World Cup could be just as memorable as the current one.