Lionel Messi was pictured enjoying a moment of calm with Argentina teammate Rodrigo De Paul on the morning following their dramatic World Cup semi-final victory over England. The image, shared by De Paul on Instagram with the caption 'Buen diaaaaa!!', showed the two players relaxing in their hotel room. Messi was seen with mate tea and a packet of Havanna Leo biscuits, both with satisfied expressions.
Argentina booked their spot in the World Cup final after a hard-fought match that saw them overcome England. Despite England taking an early lead through Anthony Gordon, Lionel Messi, at 39 years old, proved decisive, providing assists for both Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez, securing the win for the reigning world champions.
Tempers flared after the final whistle, with Jude Bellingham of England reportedly involved in a heated exchange with Argentina's Valentin Barco. Messi later reflected on the win, praising the Argentina fans and noting his belief that their opponents had lost some fighting spirit after the equalizer.
Following the match, Messi was also photographed spending downtime with other teammates in Atlanta. The semi-final victory was a significant achievement, with Messi's instrumental role in providing the crucial assists highlighting his continued impact on the team.
Meanwhile, England manager Thomas Tuchel faced criticism for his tactical decisions after Gordon's goal, with commentators like former Bayern Munich coach Muller and 2010 World Cup winner Iker Casillas questioning the team's defensive approach and low possession after taking the lead. Casillas described England's strategy as 'cowardly,' suggesting it allowed Argentina too much control and led to their defeat.