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Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni has dismissed suggestions of any internal conflict within the squad after the emergence of a viral video featuring Lionel Messi addressing the group ahead of the World Cup final.
La Albiceleste were chasing back-to-back World Cup triumphs but were beaten by Spain in a bad-tempered finale in New Jersey on Sunday.
In the chaos that followed the final whistle, a video emerged of Messi delivering a pep talk to his teammates from deep within the MetLife Stadium as they make their way out of their changing room.
‘Come on, guys, calm down. The main thing is that we stay calm,’ Messi was heard saying. ‘Let’s forget everything. Let’s just play. Let’s just focus on playing, guys.’
The clip has been the subject of growing speculation on social media. While Messi’s words may have been a defiant response to talk of favouritism for Argentina in the lead-up to the finale, others have theorised it could have been something deeper with some of his teammates visibly emotional during the speech.
Head coach Scaloni returned to his homeland today, speaking to journalists from his car for the first time since Sunday’s devastating defeat.
‘I don’t look at social media. I don’t know anything. I have no idea what you’re talking about,’ Scaloni said when quizzed on the video.
But when asked if the squad was united or if there was any ‘internal conflict’, TYC Sports report Scaloni ‘jumped out of his car’ to emphatically respond: ‘I can’t believe what you’re asking me. We’re going in a completely different direction, guys
‘The important thing is that the guys have given their all, they’ve shown character with this jersey, and we should focus on that. Hopefully, tomorrow, when a player has to come to the national team, it won’t matter. Because it’s a sign.’
Messi, now 39, scored eight goals in the tournament before being shut out by Spain in New Jersey.
The former Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star was also instrumental in the comeback victories over Egypt and England, coming within touching distance of another World Cup having won the trophy for the first time in Qatar in 2022.
Given his age, this World Cup was regarded as Messi’s last although he is still to clarify his international future after releasing a statement on Monday expressing his ‘immense pain’ over the defeat.
One of Messi’s teammates in Emiliano Martinez has suggested he is also considering his international future, having also played a key role in Argentina’s World Cup and Copa America successes.
On the topic of the futures of Messi and Martinez, Scaloni admitted there is uncertainty.
‘After a tournament like this, with all the usual things going on, I think you start to rethink things,’ he said.
Argentina star blasts fans spreading ‘baseless conspiracy theories’ after World Cup final defeat
Rodrigo De Paul has hit out at rival fans for supposedly spreading ‘baseless conspiracy theories’ about his Argentina side during their World Cup campaign.
Argentina had the chance to become the first team in 64 years to successfully defend the title at the weekend after coming from behind to beat England in the semi-finals.
But it was heartbreak for Lionel Messi and Co in what was a scrappy and bad-tempered contest against Spain, with Ferran Torres’ extra-time strike proving the difference at New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.
Violent clashes between the two sets of players threatened to overshadow Spain’s celebrations after the final whistle, as Leandro Paredes became the second Argentinian sent off following Enzo Fernandez’s earlier red card.
Soon after, though, Luis de la Fuente’s men – who conceded just one goal across the entire tournament – were able to move on from the ugly scenes to hold the coveted prize aloft for a second time in the nation’s history.
Argentina’s gamesmanship and questionable tactics have since been met with a ferocious backlash, with FIFA sanctions potentially looming as a consequence of the ill discipline displayed on Sunday.
Lionel Scaloni was defiant in the face of such criticism, insisting his squad had set a ‘great example for our people and country’ while ‘showing how to lose’ – despite the fact they had shamefully turning their backs during Spain’s trophy lift.
Argentina midfielder De Paul was similarly forthright as he took to Instagram to make his feelings clear this morning, writing: ‘The deepest pain comes from not being able to bring the World Cup trophy back to our country once again, because if anyone deserved to experience that feeling again, it was you.
‘But as the hours pass, I’m realising that the bond you share with this team goes far beyond the trophy itself – and that is what I’m holding onto to help me get through this moment.
‘Today, I look at how many people were waiting for this fall, spreading baseless conspiracy theories throughout the World Cup just to soothe their own pain at not being able to experience what we Argentines were living through – because our smiles bother them, because our ways get under their skin…’
De Paul suggested the negative comments directed at Argentina’s squad from the rest of the footballing world had only strengthened the bond within the group.
‘All that did was reaffirm that the passion and love for our jersey can overcome anything,’ he added.
‘It will hurt for a long time, but today, more than ever, I am proud to be ARGENTINE.’
A day earlier, Messi spoke of his ‘immense pain’ at being denied a second World Cup triumph, four years on from Argentina’s victory in Qatar.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner was pictured in tears at the full-time whistle after what had been an unforgettable campaign at the age of 39, in which he finished with eight goals and four assists to his name.
‘The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal,’ Messi told his followers on social media.
‘But I also hold onto all the good things… the matches we turned around by giving it our all – moments that will remain in our memories forever – and the support of an entire country which, combined with this group’s hard work and effort, brought us back among the world’s elite once again.
‘It is hard to fully appreciate our achievement right now, but this group reached two consecutive World Cup finals.’
The legendary Inter Miami forward continued: ‘Thank you from the bottom of my heart for every greeting and message. Once again, we managed to unite as a country and stand together, sharing the immense pride of being Argentine.
‘I also want to congratulate Spain on winning the championship.’
