Messi and Argentina will face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19
Credit: Rob Kim; Pascal Le Segretain/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Shakira praised Lionel Messi’s discipline and commitment after his standout performance in Argentina’s World Cup semifinal win
- Messi, competing in his sixth World Cup, has scored a tournament-leading eight goals and is supported by wife Antonela Roccuzzo
- Shakira will co-headline the first-ever World Cup Final halftime show alongside Madonna, BTS, Justin Bieber and others
Lionel Messi’s heroics at this year’s World Cup have left soccer fans in awe — including Shakira!
Taking to her Instagram Stories on Thursday, July 16, the Colombian singer, 49, praised the Argentinian superstar, who has scored a tournament-leading eight goals (along with France’s Kylian Mbappé) and will now contend for his second straight World Cup title when his team faces Spain in the final on Sunday, July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium.
“What @lionelmessi is doing is beyond extraordinary!” Shakira began. “It shows the values of a man who is deeply committed and disciplined, challenging time and all odds. Proving that a person is not defined by age or what others say.”
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Credit: Shakira/Instagram
The message from Shakira was posted one day after Messi, 39, helped Argentina rally in a 2-1 semifinals win over England on Wednesday, July 15. This tournament marks the sixth for the Inter Miami star, who has been supported by wife Antonela Roccuzzo and their three sons.
Shakira, a mother of two boys, even gave Roccuzzo a heartfelt shoutout in Thursday’s post.
“I know that having a woman like @antonelaroccuzzo by his side gives him the strength and inspiration to prove that!” she said.
Credit: Christopher Polk/Billboard via Getty
Roccuzzo reacted to Shakira’s message by re-sharing the post on her Instagram page, along with a teary-eyed emoji and a white heart.
Shakira will be featured on soccer’s biggest stage on Sunday when she co-headlines the first-ever World Cup Final halftime show.
“Every World Cup is really magical, and I think this one is going to be all about bringing people together in this very sensitive moment in time, socially and politically,” Shakira told PEOPLE in a June cover story.
The spectacle will also feature the likes of Madonna, BTS and Justin Bieber. Coldplay frontman Chris Martin is curating the performance.
Sunday’s match between Argentina and Spain kicks off at 3 p.m. ET.
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