Lionel Messi fulfilled a lifelong dream at Qatar 2022, leading Argentina to their third FIFA World Cup. It was an unforgettable tournament for La Albiceleste, especially considering they started on the wrong foot.
Lionel Scaloni’s men arrived in the Asian country as strong favorites, riding on an impressive unbeaten run with the Copa America and Finalissima titles under their belts. However, they lost in their debut.
Saudi Arabia shocked the eventual world champions with a come-from-behind victory, which immediately changed the outlook for Argentina. Even so, Diego Simeone says he trusted so much in this team that he bet €2 million they would win the trophy.
Diego Simeone bet for Argentina, Messi to win the World Cup despite loss in their debut
“After Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia, I bet two million euros on Argentina to win the World Cup, I had no doubt that the best player in history would not let us down, and so it was,” Simeone said, via @FCBAlbiceleste on Twitter.
The Atletico Madrid manager attended the grand final at the Lusail Stadium, donning an Argentina shirt he used as a player. So not only his guess was right, but he also had a privileged view to watch Messi lifting the coveted trophy.
Martin O'Donnell is a bilingual sports writer fluent in English and Spanish, currently serving as the Managing Editor of Bolavip. He began his journey with the website in February 2021, making a name for himself through comprehensive coverage of multiple sports, including NFL and soccer, with a specialty in original content and real-time reporting of major events such as the World Cup, UEFA Champions League finals, and the Super Bowl. In June 2024, Martin took on the role of Subeditor, where he excelled in overseeing the publication of stories, assisting staff writers, and ensuring content quality. His prior experience includes managing social media for CONMEBOL Libertadores and Sudamericana in English and Spanish, as well as reporting on Brazilian football for Sambafoot. Known for his meticulous attention to detail and ability to capture breaking news, Martin has consistently been a valuable asset to the Bolavip team, especially during crucial sports seasons involving trades, playoffs, and finals. Now, as the Managing Editor since May 2025, Martin brings his extensive experience and keen editorial sense to lead Bolavip’s team, driving the website's growth and ensuring it remains a top source for sports news and analysis with interviews and exclusive content.
