Selection: the intimate celebration in the locker room and why Messi did not participate

Reaching the quarterfinals of a World Cup is not an everyday thing. And although Argentina is going for much more in Qatar, each achievement is celebrated to the fullest. As it matches. By itself, the National Team has already surpassed the performance of Russia 2018, but it is not satisfied and will try to go one step further next Friday when it faces the Netherlands at 4:00 p.m. (Argentine time). This Saturday he left Australia behind, winning 2-1.

As happened in previous triumphs, the entire squad sang, danced and raved in the locker room after the 2-1 defeat against the Oceanics. “And all together we are going to win, let’s go Argentina, we are going to win,” was part of the song recited to the melody of Callejeros. A little pogo, the expense to Brazil for the remembered final of the 2021 Maracana and the intact illusion of reaching the last day “and win the World Cup with the players giving up their lives in every game.”

The only one who was not at that celebration was Messi. What happened to the 10 of Argentina? “I got doping, I locked myself in there and bathed quickly. I did not see goals, repetitions or anything“, replied the best in the world.

At the same time, he highlighted each of the team members: “The entire squad is important, it’s good that we’re all like this. Happy for the little step more.”

Regarding his goal (ninth in the World Cup and first in heads-up instances), he added: “I wanted to score one in this instance, having won and being in the quarterfinals.”

Finally, after his 1000th game as a professional, he reflected: “What I had to go through in these 1,000 games… many joys and defeats, they made me grow and be a better player, person. I have to enjoy.”