Lionel Messi has a message for Argentina's critics: "We were given nothing."
The football superstar responded to critics who have attacked the reigning champion for benefits from referees and favoritism from world football leaders.
Messi said that the team's ability to overturn a deficit at the end of matches is a result of the team's quality and nothing more.
Argentina finally overturned the score in Wednesday's semi-final against England. They were trailing 1-0 and won 2-1. In Sunday's final, Argentina meets Spain.
Argentina previously survived by beating Cape Verde and Switzerland in extra time, while overturning Egypt's 2-0 lead for an incredible 3-2 victory.
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The Swiss and Egyptian coaches criticized the referees after the matches. Egypt's Hossam Hassan said his team was the victim of a leadership that favored Messi and Argentina.
The comments sparked criticism from fans who said FIFA was favoring Argentina. There have been many claims on social media that the international football federation wants Argentina to become world champions again.
"We were the best for the last four years, whether you like it or not, and regardless of what others say," Messi said, AP reports.
"Once again, we have been confirmed among the best teams in the world. This proves that everything we have done is not a coincidence and that nothing has been given to us."
Argentina disagreed about the refereeing complaints. They didn't even talk about it until after their victory over England in the semi-final.
"Reaching two consecutive World Cup finals is something that very few achieve. And this group did it," said Lionel Messi. "If we had lost to England, there would have been people who would have come out to say something stupid. But we didn't give them the chance."
Enzo Fernandez said the goal celebration for the 1-1 draw against England was directed at Argentina's critics.
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"It was a mix of euphoria and frustration," Fernandez said.
Coach Lionel Scaloni said that the words "help" do not bother him and that they always exist.
