FIFA World Cup 2022: Lionel Messi grateful for ‘unbelievable’ atmosphere created by Argentina fans

FIFA World Cup 2022: Lionel Messi’s magic and passsionate support from Argentina fans combined to produce a stunning atmosphere at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium as the Albiceleste progressed to the quarter-final after beating Australia 2-1 on Saturday, December 3.

Messi grateful for ‘unbelieveable’ atmosphere (AFP Photo)

By India Today Web Desk: It was a sight to behold as thousands of Argentina fans stayed back at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan to give a standing ovation to Lionel Messi after the magician fired the Albiceleste into the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. Sky blue shirts comfortably outnumbers yellow shirts at the stands as Messi put on a stunning show in their 2-1 win over Argentina in the Round of 16 match.

The stadium erupted when Messi produced a piece of magic in the first-half to put Argentina 1-0 ahead. Every time, he wriggled past the Australian shirts, the energy in the crowd was unmatched. Messi scored one and nearly scored a couple more as he celebrated his 1000th game for club and country with a remarkable win that took Argentina one step closer to realising their dream in Qatar.

Messi’s left-foot strike when Argentina needed a source of inspiration to break down a well-organised Australian backline in the first half was a thing of beauty. It was his 94th international goal and with it he went past the great Diego Maradona’s tally of eight World Cup goals for the South Americans.

Messi joined his teammates after they survived a nervy few moments at stoppage time as Australia pressed for a late equaliser to acknowledge the incredible support from the crowd.

Messi has been made to feel at home by thousands of Argentina fans and local football supporters, who cheer for the 2-time champions, in his 4th World Cup campaign. And the man stepped up at a crucial juncture, scoring his first World Cup knotkout goal that gave Argentina a sigh of relief against Australia.

“These are amazing feelings, I am really happy to share their beautiful moment with the fans. I know how much effort they have put into coming here and I know the whole of Argentina want to be here. The bonds, the union we have is something beautiful.” Messi said after Argentina’s 2-1 win.

“It is unbelievable, the fans’ passion, energy and joy. It is unbelievable.”

THINKING ABOUT MY CHILDREN

Furthermore, Messi shed light on how his children are matured enough to understand the ebbs and flows of the game and joining in the cheering squad for Argentina at the FIFA World Cup.

Messi needs no extra motivation. In what is probably his final World Cup appearance, Messi has found the back of the net thrice and he would only be hoping to add to his tally when Argentina face the Netherlands in the first quarter-finals.

“From the start to the end I am thinking about my children, as they are growing and understand better and enjoy it more,” he added.

“They are living it from inside and I see how they suffer and enjoy it. That is spectacular. They are excited as all Argentinians are.”