With less than a month to go before the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, a new story about the Argentina National Team has come to light, once again highlighting Lionel Messi’s human side.
The former physical trainer for the Argentine national team, Gerardo Salorio, revealed how the Albiceleste captain made a huge gesture toward all the staff working at the AFA training facility after winning the title in Qatar 2022.
The #10’s gesture post-Qatar 2022
Nearly three and a half years after seeing Messi lift the World Cup trophy following the December 18 final at Lusail Stadium, where Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout, Salorio’s revelation has resonated with soccer fans and Leo’s supporters alike.
In an interview on Radio La Red’s MP910 program, “Profe” revealed that the Argentina captain decided to distribute the prizes won after claiming the 2022 World Cup in Qatar among the staff at the AFA’s facility in Ezeiza:
“He divided it equally among everyone at the facility. Exactly the same—the one who cleaned, the one who cooked…,” explained Salorio, adding: “Leo did even more than that.”
The former physical trainer also revealed details of the financial compensation received by workers who had supported the Argentine national team for years, which was enough to cover the cost of a home: “If it wasn’t enough for an apartment, it was enough to almost buy one,” he explained.
Although the exact amounts distributed internally and the number of people who received them were not disclosed, according to Bolavip, FIFA awarded 42 million euros to the Argentine national team for winning the World Cup, in addition to another 10 million dollars from CONMEBOL.
During the conversation, Salorio also revealed that this is not the first gesture of this magnitude from Leo and other players, assuring that they had secured and offered many things and that “nothing is known” about that.
The revelation once again generated buzz on social media, where thousands of fans praised the attitude of Argentina’s #10 and cherished this story that fuels the special bond between Messi, the national team, and those who support them from the sidelines.
Now, before kicking off the World Cup, Argentina will play two warm-up friendlies against Honduras on June 6 at Kyle Field, located at the College Stadium in Texas, and againstIceland on June 9 at Jordan-Hare Stadium in Auburn, Alabama.
Once at the World Cup, the Albiceleste will arrive as the defending champions and will fight to defend the title they won in Qatar 2022. Lionel Scaloni’s team will lead Group J and make its debut against Algeria on Tuesday, June 16, at Kansas City Stadium.
Meanwhile, the coach is still expected to reveal the official roster of the 26 players who will travel to Mexico, Canada, and the United States. Following the preliminary list of 55 players, the deadline to announce the final roster, according to FIFA regulations, is this coming Saturday, May 30.
Leave a Reply