Argentine archbishop reads out Messi's words at Independence Day Mass

Lionel Messi's powerful message about unity resonated through Buenos Aires Cathedral on Thursday, as Archbishop Jorge Garcia Cuerva incorporated the football captain's words into the Independence Day Mass. The ceremony, attended by Argentine President Javier Milei and the national football team, served as a backdrop for national reflection as the team prepares for a World Cup quarter-final.

Archbishop Garcia Cuerva invoked Messi's message from the team's 2022 World Cup triumph in Qatar, using it as a call for national cohesion. "Let us keep our shirts on, and with passion, let us bring to life the message that Lionel Messi once posted on his social media," the Archbishop urged before reading the talismanic forward's written words.

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Let us keep our shirts on, and with passion, let us bring to life the message that Lionel Messi once posted on his social media.

"When we Argentines fight together and stand united, we are capable of achieving whatever we set our minds to," Messi had written four years prior. This reference came just two days after Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the tournament, securing their place in the last eight.

Messi, 39, is participating in his sixth consecutive World Cup and has been a standout performer, scoring in each of Argentina's five matches and currently leading the tournament's scoring charts with eight goals. The inclusion of his message highlighted the intersection of national pride, sporting achievement, and the enduring spirit of unity.

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When we Argentines fight together and stand united, we are capable of achieving whatever we set our minds to.