Football is more than just a game. It’s a passion that unites people from all walks of life. And sometimes, all it takes is a single speech to inspire a team to victory. From Lionel Messi’s emotional Copa America final speech to Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s powerful locker room address, here are some of the most epic speeches that changed the game. Check out our article on One Player, One Game: Iconic Performances in Football.
Lionel Messi: Copa America Final, 11/7/21
Lionel Messi’s journey with the Argentine national team had been a rollercoaster ride, full of near misses and heartbreaks. But on 11th July 2021, he finally got his hands on the elusive Copa America trophy. In the post-match ceremony, Messi gave a speech that moved the entire nation to tears. He thanked his teammates, his family, and most importantly, the Argentine people who had supported him through thick and thin. He said, “I dreamed of this moment for so long. It’s a dream that I’ve been chasing for my entire career, and it’s finally come true. This is for all the people of Argentina who have always believed in us.”
Herve’ Renard: Argentina vs Saudi Arabia
In 2018, Herve’ Renard, the coach of the Saudi Arabian national team, gave a speech that inspired his players to a shock victory over Argentina. He told his players, “They have Messi, but we have a team. They have the best player in the world, but we have 11 warriors who will fight till the end.” His words worked like magic, as the Saudis held Argentina to a goalless draw in the first half, before scoring two goals in the second half to win the game.
Cristiano Ronaldo: Portugal vs France
Cristiano Ronaldo is known for his leadership qualities both on and off the field. In the Euro 2016 final against France, he suffered a knee injury in the early stages of the game, which forced him to leave the field. But before he left, he gave a rousing speech to his teammates, telling them that they had to fight till the end, with or without him. His words inspired Portugal to a historic victory, with Eder scoring the winning goal in extra time.
Pep Guardiola: Before Manchester City vs Chelsea, 2017/2018
Pep Guardiola is one of the most successful coaches in football history, and his pre-match speeches are the stuff of legend. Before the 2017/2018 Premier League clash between Manchester City and Chelsea, Guardiola gave a speech that fired up his players. He told them that they had to win the game at all costs and that they were the better team. His words worked, as City went on to win the game 1-0, with Bernardo Silva scoring the winning goal.
Francesco Totti: Roma vs Genoa, 28/05/2017
Francesco Totti is a Roma legend, and his farewell speech after his final game for the club was nothing short of epic. He thanked his teammates, his coaches, and the fans, and told them that he was proud to have represented Roma for 25 years. He said, “I leave you with my heart and with the awareness that I always gave everything for this shirt.” His words moved the entire stadium to tears, and Totti will always be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever wear the Roma shirt.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic: Sassuolo vs Milan, 22/05/2022
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is a force of nature both on and off the field. After a tough season with AC Milan, he gave a speech in the
locker room after their final game against Sassuolo that showed his leadership and passion for the game. He began by joking with his teammates, telling them not to worry because he wasn’t going to say goodbye. Then he spoke about the challenges they faced throughout the season and how they overcame them by working together as a group. He said, “When this happened, we became a group. And when you’re a group, you can achieve the things we’ve achieved.” His words were a testament to the power of teamwork and the importance of never giving up.
Dries Mertens: Mertens Farewell Speech, 2022
Dries Mertens, the Belgian forward who played for Napoli gave a farewell speech in 2022 that was emotional and heartfelt. He thanked the fans and the city of Naples for welcoming him and making him feel at home. He said, “Dear Neapolitans, I knew this day would eventually come, but I didn’t know how difficult it would be to say goodbye.” His words showed the deep connection he had made with the city and its people, and how much he had grown to love playing for Napoli.
Conclusion
These speeches show the power of words and how they can inspire and motivate a team to achieve greatness. From Messi’s dream come true to Ibrahimovic’s call to never give up, these speeches will always be remembered as some of the most epic in football history. Whether you’re a player, a coach, or a fan, these speeches serve as a reminder that anything is possible when you believe in yourself and work together as a team.