It seems that there are multiple desires for the Argentine star, Lionel Messi, to be crowned the World Cup in Qatar, but surprisingly, it was also the wish of the President of Brazil, which is the arch-rival of Argentina's football.
However, Brazilian President Lula da Silva, from the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, went more than that, stressing that he encouraged the Argentina national team in the "World Cup Qatar 2022" in support of Messi.
"Argentina finished 2022 in a privileged position, not only in economics and politics, but also in football," da Silva said in a joint statement with his Argentine counterpart Alberto Fernandez. "I encouraged for the first time the Argentine national team so that Messi would become a world champion."
Lula da Silva (President of Brazil):
Argentina ended 2022 in a privileged position, not only in economics and politics, but also in football. I encouraged for the first time Argentina to crown the World Cup, because I think Messi could not end his career before he was the world champion. Well, it is Brazil's turn now.pic. twitter.com/edTzEH3z2t
- Silver Country 🏆 (@ARG4ARB) January 24, 2023
The two presidents met at the headquarters of the Argentine government, "Casa Rosada", on the occasion of da Silva's first international trip after he inaugurated his third term as president of Brazil, the first of this month.
Da Silva confirmed that he encouraged Argentina in the "Qatar World Cup 2022" because he did not want Messi to end his career "without winning the World Cup."
"It happened and we're done. Now it's Brazil's turn."
Argentina won this cup for the third time in its history after 1978 and 1986, by defeating France, the world champions in Russia 2018, in the final.