Argentina's Lionel Messi has responded to ongoing criticism regarding claims that FIFA has shown favoritism towards his team during the World Cup. The superstar emphasized that his team has earned their success through hard work and resilience, stating, “Nothing was handed to us.”

Messi Defends Argentina's Achievements

In light of recent allegations suggesting that Argentina has benefitted from questionable officiating, Messi addressed these concerns following the team's semifinal victory over England. Argentina managed to come back from a 1-0 deficit in the 85th minute to secure a 2-1 win, demonstrating their championship mentality. This victory propelled them into the World Cup final, where they will face Spain.

The win sparked massive celebrations in Buenos Aires, as fans took to the streets to rejoice in their team's remarkable comeback. Messi highlighted that their ability to overturn late-game deficits is a testament to their perseverance and skill, rather than any external assistance.

Controversy Surrounds Recent Matches

Argentina's path to the final has not been without controversy. The team previously triumphed over Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time, and staged an impressive comeback against Egypt, winning 3-2 after being down 2-0 with just 11 minutes remaining. However, both the Swiss and Egyptian coaches voiced their frustrations with the officiating, with Egypt's Hossam Hassan claiming that his team was a victim of a system that favors Messi and Argentina.

Despite the criticism, Messi remains confident in his team's abilities. He stated, “We’ve been the best over these past four years, either you like it or not, and no matter what anyone says.” He believes that reaching the final again solidifies Argentina's status among the world's elite teams, reinforcing that their achievements are well-deserved.

As the final approaches, Messi and his teammates are focused on securing back-to-back titles, aiming to silence their detractors once and for all.