In the 85th minute at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, with Argentina trailing England 0-1 in the World Cup 2026 semi-final, captain Lionel Messi passed the ball to Enzo Fernandez, who scored the equalizer. A few minutes later, Lautaro Martinez netted the winning goal, securing a 2-1 victory and sending Argentina to the final against Spain.
Enzo Fernandez's goal was scored at the same stadium where Messi once announced his retirement from the national team following the Copa America 2016 final defeat. At that time, Enzo Fernandez was a 15-year-old playing in the River Plate academy. On his personal page, Enzo wrote a long letter pleading with Messi to reconsider, emphasizing his desire for his idol to stay and rediscover the joy of playing.
The letter quickly went viral among fans. Weeks later, Messi reversed his decision and returned to the national team. Years later, Enzo stated that if Messi had retired at that time, the 15-year-old boy's dream of playing alongside his idol would never have materialized.
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Enzo and Messi celebrate after the 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup 2026 semi-final. *Photo: Reuters* |
In 2022, Enzo made his World Cup debut. In a group stage match against Mexico, Messi assisted the young midfielder, who scored a goal to secure a 2-0 victory. By the end of the tournament, he had earned the Young Player of the Tournament award and celebrated Argentina's World Cup triumph.
Following that match, fans began to rediscover the 2016 letter. The story of the boy who passionately urged Messi not to leave the national team spread across social media and was recounted by numerous newspapers in Argentina, Brazil, and England as a unique World Cup anecdote.
By World Cup 2026, in the round of 16 match against Egypt, Messi again assisted Enzo, who scored the decisive goal, propelling Argentina into the quarter-finals. In the semi-final against England, the Argentine captain once more passed to Enzo, who netted the equalizer.
Across two World Cups, all three of Enzo's goals have originated from Messi's assists. Each assist has coincided with significant milestones in the journey of the midfielder, born in 2001, and for the Argentine national team itself.
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Messi and Enzo Fernandez embrace the FIFA World Cup 2022 trophy. Around Enzo's neck is his gold medal from the tournament, and at his feet is the award for "Best Young Player of the World Cup 2022". *Photo: Instagram Enzo Fernandez* |
During a press conference before the match against Austria on 21/6, Enzo Fernandez stated he still remembers writing the letter a decade ago. "If I were to write it again, I would need entire books to recount everything we have experienced together," Enzo said.
The 15-year-old boy's letter did not directly change Messi's decision, but his choice to remain with the national team profoundly altered the letter writer's life. Enzo now stands alongside his idol, having won the World Cup 2022 with him. With just one more match remaining, they have the opportunity to make Argentina the first team in 64 years to successfully defend their World Cup title.
Bao Nhien (According to Globo)
