A Whole Book Wouldn’t Be Enough to Describe What I’ve Learned from Messi — Enzo Fernandez

Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernandez has paid tribute to captain Lionel Messi ahead of the team’s second World Cup match against Austria, saying that a single book would not be enough to describe everything he has learned from the football legend.

Speaking at a pre-match press conference, Fernandez reflected on a letter he wrote in 2016 when Messi announced his retirement from international football after Argentina’s Copa América final defeat. At the time, Enzo appealed to the star forward by writing, “Leo, please don’t leave us.”

Recalling that moment, Fernandez said, “If I were to write another letter to Leo today, a whole book wouldn’t be enough to describe everything I’ve learned from him. Playing alongside him has taught me so many extraordinary things.”

The midfielder also spoke about his own development in recent years, saying he has matured significantly and continues to work hard every day to improve his game.

Looking ahead to the match against Austria, Fernández described the opponents as an aggressive and attack-minded side. He noted that while Austria can leave spaces behind when pushing forward, their intensity and pace make them a dangerous team.

“Regardless of the opponent, our main objective is to control possession and play our game,” he said.

Fernandez added that he feels comfortable in his current role and always tries to give his best whenever selected. Maintaining possession, he explained, helps boost his confidence on the field.

The World Cup-winning midfielder also compared the current campaign with Argentina’s journey in Qatar 2022. He recalled how Argentina began that tournament with a defeat before going on to win the title, calling it an incredible story. This time, he said, starting with a victory has given the squad additional confidence.

Commenting on the overall level of competition in modern football, Fernandez noted that the gap between teams has narrowed considerably and that the current World Cup appears even more competitive than previous editions.

Argentina will be aiming for another victory against Austria as they seek to move closer to securing a place in the knockout stage, with Messi continuing to serve as a major source of inspiration for the team.