(BBC) Emotion is always a big part of how Argentina play, but it feels like it is driving us more than ever at this World Cup, with a place in the final only one step away.
Winning this tournament again after our triumphs in 1978 and 1986 always means so much to our players and our fans because of how important football is to our culture, but this time I think we are seeing a desperation for success that is different even to anything I experienced playing for the national team.
The excitement is always huge back home when we have the chance of winning any competition, but the reason I can feel it so much here too is because so many Argentina fans have come to Qatar.
The stadiums for all our games have been three-quarters full of our supporters, creating an incredible atmosphere and giving our players huge backing.
It’s been like a big adventure for them, and it’s brilliant to see – and hear. They don’t just sing and dance for 90 minutes, they start an hour before the game and stay for as long afterwards, and just keep on making noise.
They are here for two reasons: partly because our 36-game unbeaten run before the tournament started had raised expectations, but mainly because it is probably Lionel Messi’s final opportunity to win the World Cup.