Messi Hits Back at Argentina’s Critics: ‘Nothing Was Handed to Us’

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has firmly rejected suggestions that his country’s run to the 2026 FIFA World Cup final was aided by favoritism, insisting the reigning champions have earned every step of their journey through determination, resilience and quality on the pitch.

Speaking after Argentina’s dramatic 2-1 semifinal victory over England, Messi addressed growing criticism from some football fans and pundits who have questioned refereeing decisions and claimed the South American giants have benefited from special treatment during the tournament.

“Nothing was handed to us,” Messi said, adding that Argentina’s success has come through years of hard work and a squad that has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to perform under pressure.

The 39-year-old captain pointed to Argentina’s performances throughout the tournament as evidence that the team deserves its place in the final. The defending champions have repeatedly come from difficult situations, including their comeback victory over England in Atlanta, where they overturned a late deficit to secure another appearance in football’s biggest match.

Messi dismissed allegations that outside factors had influenced Argentina’s progress, emphasizing that the players have consistently answered critics on the field rather than through words.

“Our character and football speak for us,” he said, stressing that championships are won through teamwork, sacrifice and experience rather than external assistance.

Argentina’s journey to the final has included victories over Cape Verde, Egypt, Switzerland and England, with Messi once again serving as the team’s creative heartbeat despite nearing his 40th birthday. While he has not dominated the scoring charts, his leadership, vision and ability to dictate games have continued to make him one of the tournament’s standout performers.

The criticism intensified after Argentina’s semifinal win, with some observers questioning officiating decisions during the competition. Messi, however, insisted that such narratives overlook the team’s consistency and competitive mentality.

He said Argentina has repeatedly shown the mentality of champions by recovering from setbacks and delivering when it matters most, arguing that success cannot simply be attributed to luck or favoritism.

Argentina will now face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final in what many are describing as a clash between two of international football’s strongest teams. For Messi, the match could represent another historic chapter in an extraordinary international career as he seeks to guide Argentina to consecutive World Cup titles.

The buildup to the final has also been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Argentina’s post-match celebrations after defeating England, when players displayed a banner referring to the Falkland Islands (Las Malvinas). The incident prompted calls from British officials for FIFA to investigate whether the political display violated tournament regulations, although the matter remains separate from Messi’s comments defending his team’s sporting achievements.

For Messi, however, the focus remains firmly on football. His message to critics was simple: Argentina’s place in the World Cup final has been earned on merit, not gifted by anyone.