Messi said he was very angry because he was persuaded to take a Panenka-style penalty kick, but the ball bounced off the crossbar, in the penalty shootout between Argentina and Ecuador on July 5.

“I spoke to Dibu (goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez ) and Rulli (reserve goalkeeper) beforehand. I was convinced to do it that way (the Panenka kick, inspired by former Czech Republic player Antonin Panenka) if I had the chance. But it didn’t work out. I’m very angry with my decision,” Messi said in an interview with the Argentine press, after the thrilling 4-2 quarter-final win over Ecuador after a penalty shootout (1-1 draw in regulation time), the first quarter-final of Copa America 2024 on July 5.

Messi speaks to Argentine press after the match

SCREEN CAPTURE

Messi also talked about thanking goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who saved two penalties from Ecuador, helping Argentina win the nerve-wracking penalty shootout.

“Before the match, he joked about the possibility of a penalty shootout and said that he would definitely save one or two. So when we had to go into the penalty shootout, I had a lot of confidence, because we knew we would have an advantage because Emiliano Martinez was very confident in his ability. I have to thank him for always believing in his ability,” Messi shared.

Regarding the muscle injury and returning to play, Messi explained: “I told Scaloni (Argentina coach), my injury is completely fine, I don’t feel any discomfort in the muscle anymore. So after the last training session, I felt better and felt like I could participate in the match and decided to play.”

Messi was closely marked, so his contribution to the match was very low.

AFP

However, Messi’s contribution to the match was very little. He only contributed when creating the opportunity leading to the opening goal scored by Lisandro Martinez in the 36th minute after a very dangerous corner kick. 

The rest of the match, this 37-year-old player only had 32 touches of the ball. This is an extremely low number, at least in the official matches that this player played the full 90 minutes for the Argentina team from the World Cup finals, qualifying matches and Copa America, from 2011 to present.

According to coach Scaloni: “Every time I asked Messi during the match, he said he was fine. Therefore, he continued playing. Regarding the decisive penalty kick, it was the responsibility of Otamendi and Nicolas Gonzalez. But Otamendi took the responsibility to successfully execute it under great pressure. 

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez continues to be the hero of the Argentina team

AFP

In a penalty shootout, every team has full faith in the goalkeeper. We do too, that’s basic. But we have even more faith, because even if Messi misses, it’s not over. We always know that something positive will come.”