Messi reveals what will happen if Argentina don’t win World Cup 2018

Ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup in Russia, Lionel Messi opened up about the pressure on Argentina and what could happen if the team failed to lift the trophy. His comments reflected not just hope, but urgency—and even a sense of finality.

Speaking in an interview before the tournament, Messi made it clear that the 2018 World Cup could be the last real opportunity for his generation of players to win football’s biggest prize.

He admitted that Argentina had come painfully close in previous tournaments, especially the 2014 World Cup final, where they lost to Germany. That defeat still haunted him and his teammates.

Messi emphasized that the squad felt a strong responsibility to finally deliver success. According to him, the team had unfinished business and needed to erase the disappointment of past failures.

One of the most striking things Messi said was that the tournament represented a “now or never” moment for the team.

He suggested that if Argentina failed again, it could mark the end of an era for many of the players who had been together for years. The core of the squad had already reached multiple finals but failed to secure a major international trophy.

This statement highlighted the emotional weight on the team going into the competition.

Despite his belief in the squad, Messi remained realistic about Argentina’s chances. He openly admitted that the team was not the strongest heading into the tournament.

He pointed out that countries like Brazil, Germany, Spain, and France appeared more complete and better prepared.

Rather than placing Argentina among the favorites, Messi stressed the importance of humility and hard work.

For Messi, the World Cup was more than just another tournament—it was deeply personal.

Although he had won numerous trophies at club level, including multiple UEFA Champions League titles with Barcelona, international success had remained elusive at that point in his career.

He admitted that he would gladly trade some of his club achievements for a World Cup victory, showing just how much the trophy meant to him.

The pain of missed opportunities, especially his chance in the 2014 final, continued to motivate him.

Messi’s comments strongly implied that failure in 2018 could lead to major changes.

While he didn’t explicitly say he would retire at that moment, his tone suggested that the team might not get another chance together. The idea was clear: if Argentina didn’t win, it could signal the end of their golden generation’s dream.

This added even more pressure—not just on Messi, but on the entire squad.

As history unfolded, Argentina’s campaign in the 2018 World Cup did not go as hoped. The team struggled throughout the tournament and was eventually eliminated in the Round of 16 after a dramatic loss to France.

It was a disappointing end to a campaign that had started with so much expectation.

However, Messi’s story didn’t end there. He continued with the national team and eventually achieved redemption by leading Argentina to major titles, including the Copa América and later the FIFA World Cup in 2022.

Lionel Messi’s pre-World Cup comments captured the emotions of a team under immense pressure. His “now or never” statement wasn’t just about winning—it was about legacy, redemption, and seizing a final opportunity.

Although Argentina fell short in 2018, the determination Messi expressed became part of a larger journey—one that ultimately led to glory years later.

In football, as in life, sometimes failure is just a step toward a greater comeback.