Carles Puyol did not need to be his teammate that afternoon to recognize greatness. Argentina had just fallen to Spain in the final, and instead of the euphoria of victory, the former Barcelona captain chose words for Lionel Messi. 🐐
“If this Argentina National Team has reached the final, it is thanks to Messi”, he said bluntly. “They have relied on him and he has taken them to the final, but it has not been enough to become champions”. A statement that carries different weight coming from someone who shared a dressing room with him for years at Barça.
Puyol held nothing back: “I take my hat off to him and I will be eternally grateful for everything he has given us”, he added, remembering first the teammate and then the footballer who changed the sport forever. He closed with something simple but heartfelt: “I always wish him the best”. 👏🇦🇷