Shakira Celebrates Messi as Argentina Advances to FIFA World Cup Final

Shakira's Praise for Messi

Shakira expressed her admiration for Lionel Messi following Argentina's thrilling 2-1 victory over England in the FIFA World Cup semifinal held in Atlanta. Messi has been instrumental in Argentina's success throughout the tournament, currently sharing the top spot for most goals in the FIFA World Cup 2026 with Kylian Mbappe, while leading in assists, which serves as the first tie-breaker for the Golden Boot. In the semifinal match, Messi contributed significantly by providing two key assists that helped secure the win for his team. On Instagram, Shakira praised Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo, stating, "What Leo Messi is doing is beyond extraordinary! It reflects the values of a man who is deeply committed and disciplined, overcoming challenges and defying age. I believe having a partner like Antonela gives him the strength and inspiration to excel." Roccuzzo later acknowledged Shakira's kind words by sharing her Instagram Story.

Argentina's Journey to the Final

Argentina To Face Spain in the Final

Argentina has faced numerous challenges in this World Cup, often coming from behind to clinch victories. In their match against England, they were trailing 1-0 until the 85th minute, when they scored two goals in quick succession to secure the win. Head coach Lionel Scaloni praised his team's resilience after the match, stating, "I'm at a loss for words. This is a joy for our country and our people. This group continues to amaze me. My voice is breaking because this showcases our team spirit, camaraderie, and determination to fight until the end. After this, we aim to win the final, but what more can this team achieve? They have truly moved me. I can't express enough gratitude to them. We will strive to give our best, but it's hard to convey the dedication these players have shown. We are unique, and that’s not arrogance; it’s a testament to their efforts that led us to victory." As they prepare to face Spain in the final, Argentina will aim to be more decisive and take control of the game from the outset. A victory would see Argentina join Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962) as the only teams to defend their title successfully.