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‘Even the name Messi can unnerve players’ – How Egypt coach Hossam Hassan kept calm before World Cup Round of 16 battle with Argentine legend

Egypt’s head coach Hossam Hassan has shared his unique psychological strategy for facing Argentina in the 2026 World Cup, revealing that he deliberately avoided mentioning Lionel Messi by name. The Pharaohs’ manager explained that his approach was designed to stop his players from being intimidated by the presence of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Avoiding the name of the GOAT

Offering a glimpse into his modern style of player management, Hassan said he referred to the Inter Miami playmaker only by his jersey number during tactical briefings. His aim was to prevent any “unnecessary reverence” that might translate into fear once the match began against the reigning world champions.

“The word ‘Messi’ can scare some footballers,” Hassan told ONTV after Egypt’s return to Cairo. “When I use a tactical example, if Messi makes a movement, I personally avoid saying his name. I prefer saying ‘the player wearing number 10’ or ‘that number’ to remove the undue respect or fear from their minds.”

Identity over individuals

Hassan highlighted that his main objective was to ensure Egypt stayed true to their own tactical character instead of fixating on stopping one superstar. By depersonalising the opposition’s most dangerous player, he wanted to instil a sense of collective confidence that the Pharaohs could stand toe-to-toe with Argentina in Atlanta.

The coach commented: “I wanted to make sure the players had both a technical and tactical identity. They shouldn’t rely on marking just one player. Psychologically, I didn’t want them to think about the rival team’s name or their players’ names. I wanted them to play without noticing the colour of the shirt so they wouldn’t feel inferior.”

A heartbreaking late collapse

For more than an hour, the plan seemed flawless as Egypt surged to a stunning 2-0 lead through Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico. However, the mental wall eventually gave way in the closing ten minutes, with Argentina producing a classic comeback to seal a 3-2 victory — a result that left the Egyptian camp disheartened and questioning the officiating.

Despite Argentina’s triumph, it was an emotionally mixed evening for their captain. Earlier in the match, Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir made headlines after saving a Messi penalty, momentarily silencing the pro-Albiceleste supporters. Yet the “number 10” soon found his rhythm, playing a crucial role in the late surge that shattered Egyptian hopes in the dying moments.

Complaints over refereeing bias

Hassan stood firm in praising his players’ effort but expressed dissatisfaction with the refereeing. He hinted that the magnitude of the fixture and the aura of the opponents may have swayed several key calls against Egypt — including a disallowed goal and a denied penalty appeal.

While many observers applauded Argentina’s resilience as a hallmark of champions, Hassan believed the external pressures proved decisive. He asserted that the referee “created tension” and disrupted his team’s focus during the high-pressure knockout match, preventing them from executing their game plan effectively.