Argentina's World Cup Final Push Driven by Childhood Joy, Says Lautaro Martínez

A few seconds after scoring the goal that sent Argentina to the World Cup final, forward Lautaro Martínez broke down in tears. He recalled his first pair of football boots bought by his father and his mother’s daily ritual of making his bed while he was away, saying, “It means more to me than any goal or any trophy.”

Coach Lionel Scaloni, speaking after the semi‑final win over England, admitted he was worried when the English scored but never stopped believing in his players. He described the Argentine squad as raised in environments where they feared nothing, noting they “play like eight‑ or nine‑year‑olds,” focusing solely on the joy of football.

The Guardian adds context, highlighting Argentina’s societal complexity and referencing economist Simon Kuznets’s observation that the country does not fit simple classifications.