The FIFA World Cup title is the ultimate dream for every nation, being the most prestigious accolade in football. A team must showcase resilience on the pitch and unity as a whole to clinch the world title, battling against top nations in this extraordinary event.
Fortunately, Lionel Messi and his team replicated their unwavering determination to lift the title last year in Qatar. The journey was far from easy. Another member of the team, Rodrigo De Paul, revealed how Messi promised him a spot in the semi-final during his injury blow.
Rodrigo De Paul reveals being injured at World Cup
Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodrigo De Paul emerged as one of the key players of the La Abliceleste team and one of the most reliable figures under Lionel Scaloni. After turning the group stage upset and a soaring Round of 16 run, his side went to the next round to face Netherlands in the Quarterfinals.
During the Qatar World Cup, Rodrigo De Paul suffered an injury before their Quarterfinal clash against the Dutch. The midfielder feared it might end his campaign due to a grade-one muscle tear, casting doubt on his chances of playing.
The 29-year-old was concerned about being called up for the next World Cup in case his campaign met a premature end due to injury.
He revealed, “I got injured in the training, I took an MRI and the doctor told me that I had a torn muscle grade 1. He told me that I had to miss the game against the Netherlands and that in 5-6 days I would be better but overall it’d take 15 days to recover.
He added, “But I didn’t want to miss it, I didn’t know if we would eliminate the Netherlands, I was thinking I could’ve already played my last World Cup game. I don’t know what would happen in 4 years.”
Rodrigo De Paul reveals his and Lionel Messi’s conversation
Rodrigo De Paul is one of the closest allies of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Fans even dub him as Messi’s ‘Bodyguard.’ His efforts alongside Messi played a crucial role in Argentina’s recent consecutive triumphs in two prestigious tournaments, the Copa America and the World Cup respectively.
The Atletico Madrid player revealed a conversation he had while being injured when he sought captain Lionel Messi’s advice on his situation. Messi insisted that De Paul not risk worsening his injury and instead made him promise that he would ensure the team’s progression into the next round.
De Paul disclosed, “And then Messi tells me, “Don’t play it, I will take you to the semi-final. Don’t risk it; you are going to play in the semi-final.”
Nevertheless, Rodrigo De Paul did play in the Quarter-final match after remarkably managing to recover but came off in the second half. He went on to contribute in the Semi-final and Final as well, ultimately earning himself a much-deserved World Cup medal.
