World Cup: Alexi Lalas admits Argentina’s victory ‘warmed his heart’ even though he’s NOT a Messi fan

Alexis Lalas admitted Argentina’s World Cup win “warmed his heart” despite his lack of “fan base” for star Lionel Messi.

Messi led Argentina to the World Cup against France when his brace and Angel Di Maria’s goal were neutralized by Kylian Mbappe before eventually triumphing on penalties last Sunday.

The result gave the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner the only trophy to elude his stunning career.

Football analyst Alexis Lalas admitted Argentina’s World Cup win ‘warms his heart’

After the game, former USMNT defender Lalas admitted he was happy for Messi and the ‘special’ result but insisted he was still not a fan of the magician.

“I’m happy for him,” Lalas began with his State of the Union podcast. “I spoke about Messi not moving me compared to other players. I talked about not being a big fan of Messi.

“However, today I will absolutely say that Messi – and this Argentine win – moved me. It was wonderful to see that passion, that ebb and flow that we know a game can be and ultimately, in that moment, to see the incredible humanity from him but also from his teammates.

The former US defender said he was happy for Lionel Messi despite not being a fan

“There were a lot of tears out there because this gift that we talked about throughout the tournament was finally bestowed upon this miracle of a human being who has done things on the football field that we have never seen before.

“And I’m happy in that sense that he’s been given that gift. You saw how much it meant to him, but more importantly, how much it meant to his teammates to be able to do this. Even if it sometimes seemed like it was being taken out of their hands.”

The FOX Sports pundit admitted he could enjoy Argentina’s victory realizing how much Messi means to football fans.

Messi casually rolled in his penalty to put Argentina ahead in the penalty shoot-out after extra time

“I know I can be a grump,” he added. “I know I can be a nagger. I know I can be a Grinch. But that warmed my heart. I enjoyed it and can celebrate it like I would any other player or team. But this is special. This is someone who has brought joy to so many – not just the Argentinian fans – but so many out there.

“I’m glad he’s getting this moment because despite my fandom, or lack thereof, I want good things for someone who has fundamentally changed the game and who will be remembered for not just the next few decades, but potentially the next hundred.” years will be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever play this game.

After Sunday’s game, Messi has made 172 appearances for Argentina and scored 98 goals after his brace against France.

Messi scored his first penalty to put Argentina 1-0 ahead. Angel di Maria made it 2-0 in the first half and Argentina looked set for an easy win as they completed a sweeping pass with a clean finish.

Messi gave Argentina the lead from the penalty spot when they capitalized on a sloppy start from France

The PSG star thought he had won it in extra time as he gave Argentina a 3-2 lead in extra time

Kylian Mbappe equalized with his second penalty from the point and sent the final to a penalty shootout

But with 10 minutes remaining, French striker Kylian Mbappe – Messi’s team-mate at French club PSG – turned the game on its head with two goals in two minutes, including one himself from the penalty spot.

This sent the game into overtime and for a moment it felt as if Argentina’s momentum had slipped.

Messi scored again from close range in the 108th minute, but one final turn was yet to come.

Mbappe scored his hat-trick from a handball inside the French box and the game ended in a penalty shootout.

Messi and Mbappe scored their penalties but Kingsley Coman and Aurelien Tchouameni missed for France.