Messi didn't understand Tom Brady and Dibu Martínez had to translate: the viral moment

On the eve of the 2026 World Cup final, an unusual moment shook the Fanatics Fest organized by FIFA in New York. Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentine national team, received a question in English from legendary American football player Tom Brady. But the Rosario native, true to his style, didn’t understand a word. Then Emiliano ‘Dibu’ Martínez, the Argentine goalkeeper, stepped up beside Messi and acted as an impromptu translator.

“You and Lamine Yamal took that iconic photo when he was a baby. Now he’ll have his first World Cup final and you, probably, although hopefully not, your last. It’s very prophetic. What does that photo mean to you?” was Brady’s question. Messi, not understanding, looked at Dibu, who quickly translated into Spanish. The scene, captured by cameras, went viral in seconds. “MOMENT! Tom Brady asked Leo Messi a question in English and DIBU MARTÍNEZ had to be his translator,” ESPN posted on its X account.

But not everything was laughs. While the national team trains in New Jersey for the tournament’s decider, a controversial column in The New Yorker ignited the fury of Argentines. Columnist Ishaan Tharoor labeled the Albiceleste as the “villain” of the World Cup and accused them of being “favored by questionable refereeing decisions.” Fans exploded on social media, defending Scaloni’s team tooth and nail.

Additionally, Messi’s statements after defeating England sparked a strong clash with Javier Milei’s government. “We know that World Cups are special for us and we forget all the bad things we go through, that there are people struggling, without jobs, unable to make ends meet,” said Messi. The Official Response Office (OPRA) echoed the comment, and President Milei shared it on his X account, fueling the controversy.

Meanwhile, the national team is already in New Jersey. The squad arrived Thursday night and trained Friday at the New York Red Bull facilities. In the afternoon, Scaloni and Dibu Martínez will give the last press conference in Manhattan. Fans are beginning to arrive by air and land from various points in the United States and Argentina, while FIFA prepares a show in true American style for the final.

The atmosphere of maximum security was also felt. On the East River, Coast Guard boats zigzagged between the bridge columns, while an endless line of armored vehicles crossed Brooklyn. Almost simultaneously, another aircraft took off from the Hilton Short Hills hotel with Messi, Scaloni, and Martínez on board. New York was crisscrossed by two maximum security operations: one due to the presence of Donald Trump and another for the main figures of the World Cup final.

Scaloni complained about the little time they had to train this Friday to fulfill FIFA commitments. “Saturday’s training will be important,” he anticipated. From there, the team that will play the World Cup decider will emerge. Argentina, coming off an impeccable group stage, now faces its biggest challenge: the final against Spain. With Messi and Dibu as standard-bearers, the dream of back-to-back championships is more alive than ever.

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