Lionel Messi’s words echoed through Buenos Aires Cathedral on Thursday as Archbishop Jorge Garcia Cuerva quoted Argentina’s captain during a Mass to mark the country’s Independence Day as the national team prepared for the World Cup quarter-final against Switzerland.
Garcia Cuerva used Messi’s message after Qatar’s 2022 World Cup victory as a call for unity at a ceremony also attended by Argentine President Javier Milei.
“Let us keep our shirts on and bring to life with passion the message that Lionel Messi once posted on his social media,” García Cuerva said during the service before reading the words the talisman wrote four years ago.
“If we Argentinians fight together and are united, we are able to achieve what we aim for,” Messi said.
The reference came two days after Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to reach the last eight of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
Messi, 39, is playing in his sixth consecutive World Cup appearance and has scored in each of Argentina’s five matches, topping the tournament’s top scoring charts with eight goals.
Published on July 10, 2026
