Yassine Bounou, the Moroccan national team goalkeeper, praised the amazing performance of Lionel Messi, Argentina's captain, on the night of their victory over Egypt, 3-2, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup.

The Argentine team was trailing by two goals before Messi turned the game around by assisting the first goal and scoring the second, before Enzo Fernández scored the third in stoppage time.

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Bounou said in statements after the Morocco-France match, in which his team lost 2-0: 'I liked the fighting spirit shown by the Argentine team against Egypt, especially what Lionel Messi did. He is an amazing player.'

He added: 'We saw what Messi did after missing the penalty. He recovered and managed to carry the team on his shoulders at this age. He is definitely a great player.'

He continued: 'We are currently seeing a different Messi, playing freely without constraints or goals. He has achieved a lot, and now plays for enjoyment. As players or fans, we have to enjoy him. It is a pleasure for me to watch him.'

He concluded: 'I congratulate the Argentine team on what they have done, and I wish them success in the upcoming events.'

It is worth noting that Bounou saved a penalty from Kylian Mbappé on the night of Morocco's World Cup farewell in the quarter-finals at the hands of France.