Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar broke down in tears when Lionel Messi scored a stunning World Cup opening goal in the 64th minute against Mexico.
La Albiceleste would go on to win the game 2-0 courtesy a second goal from Enzo Fernandez in the 87th minute on an incredible effort from the left side of the box.
Aimar’s reaction demonstrated how intense the moment was for an Argentine squad playing with their backs against the wall.
Few sights demonstrate the pressure being heaped on this Argentina team like the site of assistant manager Pablo Aimar breaking into tears after today’s vital Messi goal to help Argentina rebound from their opening game loss to Saudi Arabia. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/JejuXfMQ4u
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) November 26, 2022
Argentina would have been eliminated from advancing to the knockout stage of the competition following the dramatic upset in their opening game against Saudi Arabia.
More importantly, it is very likely the final World Cup for Argentina’s iconic all-time cap leader and goal scorer Messi, who has never won a World Cup in his legendary career.
The pressure to keep the dream storyline alive was obviously beginning to grate on certain members of the Argentine camp.
With emotions running high, Aimar, who was sitting on the Argentina bench, looked to burst into tears the instant the ball struck the nett, relief visible on his face.
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Following the game, Messi expressed his own relief, saying the victory was a “weight lifted off his shoulders.”
It´s a weight off our shoulders,’ Messi said. ‘It gives us joy and peace of mind to start again.’
‘We lived with discomfort and kept the defeat in the opening match in our minds,’ Messi said. ‘The days were very long.
‘We were eager to have the chance to turn the situation around and luckily we won.’
Messi now has eight World Cup goals, tying him with late Argentine legend Diego Maradona and lifelong rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
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