Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar bursts into TEARS after Lionel Messi's opening goal reignited their World Cup chances during their must-win Group C clash against Mexico
Argentina assistant coach Pablo Aimar broke down in tears following Lionel Messi's goal in the 64th minute against Mexico.
La Albiceleste would go on to win the game 2-0 following a second goal from Enzo Fernandez from an amazing strike from the left side of the box in the 87th minute.
Aimar's reaction highlighted just how emotional of a moment it was for an Argentinian team that was playing with their backs against the wall.
Following the stunning upset in their opening game to Saudi Arabia, Argentina would have been eliminated from having a chance to advance to the knockout stage of the tournament.
More importantly it is in all likely the last World Cup for the country's legendary all-time cap leader and goal scorer Messi, who has never won a World Cup in his historic career.
The pressure to keep the dream storyline alive was clearly beginning to weigh on certain members of the Argentine camp.
With emotions running high, Aimar, sat on the Argentina bench, appeared to burst into tears the moment the ball hit the net, the relief clear on his face.
Following the game, Messi also expressed relief of his own as he revealed the win was a 'weight lifted off his shoulders.'
'It´s a weight off our shoulders,' Messi said. 'It gives us joy and peace of mind to start again.'
'We lived with discomfort and kept the defeat in the opening match in our minds,' Messi said. 'The days were very long.
'We were eager to have the chance to turn the situation around and luckily we won.'
Argentina is second in Group C ahead of its last match against first-place Poland on Wednesday and might need to win it to advance.
'We can´t let our guard down now,' Messi said. 'All of our matches are finals now. We can´t mess up.'
Messi now sits on eight World Cup goals which ties him with fellow Argentine legend the late Diego Maradona, as well as longtime rival Cristiano Ronaldo.
For some, Messi needs to win the World Cup - the only major title missing from his collection - to join the ranks of Pele and Maradona as soccer´s greatest ever players. Thanks to this win, it could still happen.
'We already know for many years he is the world's best player,' Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. 'Messi should enjoy this World Cup. All fans enjoy seeing him play.'
Alfredkoiyan
101
messi is always ready to make you cry
Losaclmnos
62
that assistant coach is a great former player and also Messi's idol in football
Kendmrsty
33
I am a Nigerian and an encouraging fan of King Leo Messi. The love I have for him translated into loving and supporting Argentina National Football team always. The joy that greated my family yesterday's night following the opening goal against Mexican team is unquantifiable. Now, that victory is recorded and kept behind. We are going to face a formidable team led by prolific striker, Robert Lewandisky. All is well but I would wish Argentina Technical supervisor should look for a defender equal or greater than Mascherano to hold strong the defence line. R. L. is a slippery striker and must be checkmated at every second of the timing till the final blast of the whistle. I am confident of the Argentine attack formation. Dimaria, Messi, L and D are instruments of mass destruction at the face of opposition. We need to win this match to move forward to the next stage. I wish us good luck and hope to hear the sound of victory. Love for King Messi and victory for Argentina.
DavidDaevchinyama
15
The guy's too good that other teams and leagues post him
FootballAddict
9
@autty is busy praising his only idol forever messi while failed to mention that Pablo Aimar isnt just an assistant coach of Argentina football club,he was a former argentina national player,one of the most promising talent in world football once,and he is the messi’s childhood idol too. Give the man some respect he deserved @autty. Maradona once said on 2003: “Pablo is the only current footballer I’d pay to watch. He’s been the best player in Argentina over the last couple of years and even more talented than Saviola and Requelme.”- interview with World Soccer. Injuries had brought his playing career down unexpectedly. But he was a legend nevertheless.