Compared to Jordi Alba by Messi: "We'll give our lives on the field for him"

Argentina national team defender Facundo Medina, who started in the first two World Cup matches, has vowed that the squad will fight to the very end to ensure Lionel Messi concludes his final major tournament in the best possible way. He also noted that the captain exaggerated when comparing Medina's assist for the opening goal in the 2-0 victory over Austria to the passes Jordi Alba used to deliver at Barcelona.

In an interview with FIFA's official website, the defender, who has been deployed as a full-back, discussed the future of the "Albiceleste," who secured first place in Group J with a game to spare. "We have six finals ahead of us; we will compete and give our all. We talk about positions, but everyone will be available, and we know we'll leave everything on the field so that our captain's farewell is the best it can be. Hopefully, he continues to play, but we will fight and give our lives for him," he stated.

On the other hand, Medina downplayed his assist to Messi, which opened the scoring against the Austrians after a run down the left flank and a cut-back pass. "He remembered the old days with Jordi (Alba), who used to give me such passes," the captain had said, but Medina modestly replied: "I think he exaggerated. Everything gets blown out of proportion these days. I just try to do my best."

At the same time, he admitted that despite his joy at starting, it didn't come under ideal circumstances: "Things didn't happen as I wished because Nico Tagliafico got injured, and I value him greatly. I spoke with him. We are ready for the coaching staff's decisions. Thank God, the results were with us, our captain was doing well, and everything is the result of a collective effort. As I said, we will always be ready, wherever we are needed to play."

The Marseille player also analyzed his call-up among the 26 selected players: "We were close in the last World Cup. Today, after a difficult personal year at club level, I never lost hope. I always remained firmly focused on the goal, knowing that if it didn't work out, I would have nothing to blame myself for. Thank God, they called me, we are here, and I am even happier because of the group and the people in it. The best players come here, but their human qualities are incredible, and that is priceless because we are people before we are professionals. I am grateful."

Finally, when asked about his origins in Villa Fiorito, where he had to collect cardboard to survive, he recalled another legend born there – Diego Maradona. "There were many sacrifices and efforts from my mother and her closest people. They always tried to protect me, to guide me on the right path. At the same time, I try to represent the neighborhood, the essence, and what Maradona created and continues to create," Medina concluded.