Revealed: Lionel Messi, Emiliano Martinez deliver passionate World Cup final half-time speech to Argentina - ‘Cowards play backwards’

React to this story

Videos leaked on social media have revealed what Argentina's star men said to one another at half-time of their 2026 FIFA World Cup final loss against Spain on Sunday, as they missed out on back-to-back glory.

Watch: 'It hurts my soul' - Scaloni exits emotional press conference in tears

Video credit: SNTV

Argentina lost to Spain thanks to an extra-time goal from Ferran Torres, with goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez having worked exceptionally hard to keep a pressing Spanish team at bay in regulation time.

Martinez was in the thick of the action all night long, with Spain managing 20 shots on goal in the final, as they repeatedly threatened to break the deadlock, 11 of those needing to be saved by the Aston Villa goalkeeper.

Eventually, Spain managed to grab what proved to be the winner in extra time, Torres slamming the ball home in the 106th minute of action.

World Cup

UEFA confirms intention to boycott World Cup amid Infantino spin-off plan

30/07/2026 at 20:48

Argentina had started the World Cup final with what appeared a defensive mindset, rarely getting into the Spanish penalty box and allowing their opponents to repeatedly press.

As such, it was no surprise that a few players had some tough words to say at half-time, with Martinez keen to impart his opinion of what he could see from the back of the field.

”Cowards play backwards,” the 33-year-old said, reported by Infobae after videos from the dressing room leaked onto social media.

”Come on, play with heart, guys. Play with heart, going forward, not backward. We're more eager than they are.

”Only cowards play backward, only cowards play backward, let's go forward.

”Three passes and we'll find Leo [Messi], let's do it from the back too. Come on, we're sharper than ever. Let's win, let's win, let's win.”

Getting the ball to Messi on the right-hand side had proved a masterstroke in Argentina’s semi-final against England, who themselves had retreated into a defensive mindset after going a goal up courtesy of Anthony Gordon.

That day it worked for Argentina, who roared back to win 2-1 and book their slot in the final.

Martinez’s words were reiterated by Messi himself, who did his best to lift the side.

”Come on, guys! Personality, people, personality! We've always had it, aren't we going to have it now? Personality to play, let's play it, come on,” the legendary player said.

He had also reportedly encouraged the team to ”relax” in the tunnel before the match, and just ”focus on playing.”

While Messi’s initial words might not have had much of an affect, his half-time cajoling did as Argentina did play slightly better after the break, but it was not enough to deny Spain.

Argentina became the first team in the history of the World Cup not to have a shot on goal in the first 90 minutes of the final, with Messi managing the first effort when they were already 1-0 down late in extra-time.

The match will be remembered for the ugly scenes that followed the final whistle as much as for Spain’s victory, along with the sight of Messi sitting on the turf aged 39, with no one sure if he had played his last World Cup match.

The Argentina captain made his feelings clear after the final on social media, saying: ”The pain is immense, and this wound will take time to heal.”

As for Martinez, his stock has risen after a series of impressive saves across the entirety of the World Cup, with reports stating that Juventus are interested in signing him this summer..

Add TNT Sports as a preferred source here to enjoy more content like this.

Download the TNT Sports app on iPhone and Android.

Stream the Premier League, men’s and women’s FA Cups, UEFA Champions League, UEFA Europa League, UEFA Conference League and more live on TNT Sports and HBO Max.

World Cup