In addition to nerves and joy in millions of people, the World Cup 2026 He has been leaving phrases that were born from both indignation and happiness.
The sporting event, whose host countries are USACanada and Mexicobegan on June 11 and will have its culmination this Sunday, July 19. The final game will take place on American soil, more specifically in the MetLife Stadiumlocated in the state of New Jersey.
Below we share the selection that ranges from Lionel Messi’s words about his teammates after Argentina’s victory over Switzerland, to Kylian Mbappé’s response to the racist attacks of a Paraguayan senator.
A 2026 World Cup full of emotion
«What this group did is not normal: being world champion (2022), winning the Copa América (2024) and being in a semifinal again among the best four. It is not normal»
Still vibrating with joy, the top scorer of all time and captain of Argentina, Lionel Messiwas expressed in these terms on July 11, 2026, after the victory over Switzerland that qualified Argentina to the semifinals.
«There are many people who do not want Argentina to win, but we also take it as a kind of rebellion»
The technical director of Argentina, Lionel Scalonithus responded to the question about the supposed pressure and expectations placed on the Albiceleste to win the title for the second consecutive edition.
«Some things were really strange. But hey, it is what it is.»
The ten Luka Modric He could not hide his indignation after the elimination of Croatia (2-1) at the hands of Portugal in the agony of the round of 32 match.
«Spain is the favorite. They know how to attack and defend very well»
The French coach Didier Deschamps He assured that the Spanish team, current European champion, is the «favorite» for the 2026 World Cup semifinal against his country this Tuesday, July 14.
⚽️ The Spanish team, reigning European champion, is “favorite” in the 2026 World Cup semi-final against France on Tuesday, Blues coach Didier Deschamps said on Monday ⤵️ pic.twitter.com/jY3Zuui6MJ
— Agence France-Presse (@afpfr) July 14, 2026
«You are a despicable woman and unworthy of your position»
This is how he reacted Kylian Mbappé to the racist attacks of Paraguayan senator Celeste Amarilla after the round of 16 match that Les Bleus won against Albirroja with a goal from the Real Madrid star.
«Of course I want England to win. In fact, when I was little, I had an England shirt before I had a Norway one.»
Erling Haaland He did not avoid the question after Norway lost to The Three Lions, on July 11, in the quarterfinal match.
«We made our lives very complicated: careless, too safe, not fast enough. Today we were lucky»
Far from his players’ celebration for the laborious qualification to the semi-finals at the expense of Norway, the England coach, Thomas Tuchelwas not satisfied.
«Maybe he doesn’t know what it’s like to play in these conditions. Sometimes you have to win dirty»
This is how the star responded through the press on July 11 to his coach Thomas Tuchel. Jude Bellinghamauthor of a double in the 1-2 victory over Norway.
«I started here and I finish here (at Metlife Stadium in New Jersey). Now it’s over»
between tears, Neymarthe top scorer in the history of the Brazilian team with 80 goals, said goodbye on July 5 after Canarinha lost 1-2 to Norway in the round of 16. The laconic farewell after playing 130 games occurred in the same stadium where he debuted with the national team at the age of 18, MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
«I write down the phrases that I like, I let time pass so that they are erased from the collective memory and then I repeat them as if they were mine»
The coach Marcelo Bielsa He showed that, even under the fire of the press, he knows how to offer bursts of good humor.
