Boy's viral greeting to Messi: 'I love you'

A touching interaction between a young boy and football superstar Lionel Messi has captured hearts and gone viral on social media. The moment occurred before the match between Argentina and Switzerland on Saturday night.

As players lined up in the tunnel, each accompanied by a child mascot, one enthusiastic boy moved ahead in the queue to greet Messi. Cameras captured the boy, who was designated to stand with another Argentine player, approaching Messi. Upon receiving a greeting from the Inter Miami star, the boy exclaimed, "Messi, I love you."

During the pre-match rituals, the Argentine squad, led by coach Scaloni, was seen singing their national anthem with visible emotion. Some players closed their eyes during the anthem, fully immersed in the moment. Goalkeeper Emiliano "Dibu" Martínez was also seen in the tunnel, rallying his teammates with a passionate plea to "play with your heart."

The match's prelude also included a moment of silence to honor Jayden Adams, a South African footballer who passed away during the 2026 World Cup. Adams had been a key player for his team, helping them reach the knockout stage for the first time. His death was confirmed by South Africa's Minister of Sports, Arts and Culture, Gayton McKenzie, who urged for moderation and compassion from the press and public, stating that the cause of death was unconfirmed.