Revealed: Messi’s Words Before Argentina’s World Cup Winning Penalty

Prior to Argentina’s game-winning penalty in the 2022 World Cup final, Lionel Messi spoke to his late grandmother while gazing up at the sky.

On his sixth attempt, Messi won his first international championship with Argentina after La Albiceleste defeated France on penalties in the Qatar final. In the shootout, he made a successful 12-yard effort, and just before Gonzalo Montiel was going to attempt Argentina’s fifth penalty shot, he raised his head in prayer to his late grandmother, Celia Olivera Cuccittini, who had a significant influence on his upbringing before passing away in 1998.

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Messi whispered “Puede ser hoy, abu” – which translates to “It could be today, Grandma” before Montiel converted his penalty to clinch Argentina’s third World Cup crown.

Messi frequently remembers his grandmother when he raises his arms in celebration after scoring. Despite Messi’s little stature, Celia persuaded a local coach to let him play against older youngsters when he was younger.

Later this week, Messi will play his first game for Paris Saint-Germain against Cristiano Ronaldo’s former foe Riyadh XI in a friendly match.