526
@brfootball
The night before the World Cup semifinals begin...
527
@brfootball
In 2022, Leo Messi’s moment has arrived again. Despite an early setback loss against Saudi Arabia, Messi vowed his team will return stronger.
His four goals and two assists has Argentina on the brink of greatness, two wins away from a third World Cup title 🇦🇷
528
@brfootball
After years of heartbreak, Leo Messi finally achieved the elusive goal of a first major international trophy when Argentina beat Brazil 1-0 in the 2021 Copa América final 😘🏆
529
@brfootball
Argentina would lose out in a classic against France in the round of 16, and the dream was over for then ⛔
530
@brfootball
The 2018 World Cup in Russia would prove to be anything but an ideal return for Messi.
Argentina scraped into the knockout stage only by his stunning goal against Nigeria before Marcos Rojo’s late winner 😬
(via @CONMEBOLBR)
531
@brfootball
Players and fans began to call for Messi's return. When 2018 World Cup qualifiers began Messi decided to come back 🇦🇷
"A lot of things went through my mind on the night of the final, and I gave serious thought to quitting, but my love for my country and this shirt is too great."
532
@brfootball
Messi would temporarily retire:
"For me, the national team is over. I've done all I can. It hurts not to be a champion."
533
@brfootball
The lead-up to the 2018 World Cup would prove to be some of the toughest years of Messi’s career.
After the 2014 World Cup final loss, Argentina would go on to reach the Copa América finals on two occasions (2015 & 2016) and lose against Chile on penalties in BOTH ❌
534
@brfootball
The World Cup dream was so close, but Argentina lost to a heartbreaking super-sub goal in extra time from Mario Götze 💔
535
@brfootball
The Barcelona forward was in the form of his life, and his four goals and one assist would lead his nation to their first final since 1990 ⚔️
(via @FIFAWorldCup)
536
@brfootball
By 2014, Leo Messi had already asserted his dominance in world football and his acclaim as one of the greatest of all time. He had won four Ballons d’Or and led Argentina into Brazil as their captain 🌟
537
@brfootball
Argentina would end up losing to Germany in the quarterfinals again, and Messi left the tournament without a goal and question marks from fans back home over his ability to deliver 🧐
538
@brfootball
In 2010 expectations were sky-high for 22-year-old Messi. Their coach Diego Maradona, played him in a deeper midfield role, where he struggled to make an impact on the scoresheet 🚫
539
@brfootball
Argentina went on to reach the quarterfinals, where Messi would remain on the bench and they would lose to Germany. A decision their coach, José Pékerman, was criticized for 😐
540
@brfootball
In 2006, an 18-year-old Leo Messi made his World Cup debut in Argentina’s group game against Serbia & Montenegro—he subbed on in the 74th minute to assist and score in a 6-0 win 💫
(via @FIFAWorldCup)
541
@brfootball
Tomorrow Argentina will take on Croatia for a spot in the World Cup final.
Lionel Messi will try to take one more step in the journey to completing the perfect career ✨ [THREAD]
542
@brfootball
Can't. Wait 🍿
543
@brfootball
Argentina in good spirits ahead of the semifinals 🇦🇷
544
@brfootball
The last time Croatia met Argentina, Luka Modrić did this 🚀
(via @FIFAWorldCup)
545
@brfootball
The 2022 World Cup has delivered some cold celebrations so far 🥶
546
@brfootball
1994: Croatia 0-0 Argentina (Friendly)
1998: Argentina 1-0 Croatia (World Cup)
2006: Croatia 3-2 Argentina (Friendly)
2014: Argentina 2-1 Croatia (Friendly)
2018: Argentina 0-3 Croatia (World Cup)
They meet again ⚔️
547
@brfootball
▪️ Equalizer in the 92nd minute
▪️ FIVE goals in extra time
▪️ Rivera scored the winner while the TV was still showing replays of Müller’s equalizer
Imagine if any of the 2022 World Cup semifinals are as wild as Italy vs. West Germany in 1970 🤯
548
@brfootball
In 2006, Argentina played Croatia in a friendly.
20-year-old Luka Modrić made his international debut, and 18-year-old Leo Messi scored his first international goal 👶
(via @TyCSports)
549
@brfootball
A Bayern and an Inter player have appeared in every World Cup final since 1982.
Inter players in the semifinals:
—Lautaro (🇦🇷), Marcelo Brozović (🇭🇷)
Bayern players in the semifinals:
—Noussair Mazraoui (🇲🇦), Dayot Upamecano (🇫🇷), Benjamin Pavard (🇫🇷), Kingsley Coman (🇫🇷)
550
@brfootball
Morocco making history at the World Cup is being celebrated all over the world 🇲🇦
@brfootball
Get the Free B/R App ⬇️