Millions of people watched Lionel Messi step up in the 9th minute.
Argentina vs. Austria. FIFA World Cup 2026. A penalty that would have made Messi the all-time leading scorer in World Cup history, his 17th goal, breaking Miroslav Klose’s record right then and there.
He took a soft shot. It drifted to the side of the net. Austria’s goalkeeper didn’t even need to touch it. Third missed penalty kick in seven World Cup attempts. Even at 38, the greatest player to ever play the game is not immune to the pressure of the biggest stage.
The stadium went silent. The world was shocked.
Twenty-nine minutes later, Messi slotted home a precise left-footed finish, his 17th World Cup goal, the record, now his. Then, in stoppage time, he pounced on a rebound and scored his 18th. Argentina 2, Austria 0.
The miss. The reset. The record. All in one game. Here’s the leadership story underneath it.
The Reset Is the Lesson
Messi didn’t deflect after the miss. He didn’t retreat. He didn’t cling to what should have happened. He committed fully to the next play: present, clear, free of the last moment. That’s non-attachment to outcomes in its purest form.
That’s also choosing love over fear, one of the seven leadership principles of the Amare Way. Fear says: Protect yourself. Love says: You’re here for a reason. Get back to that.
He got back to that. Watch how Argentina plays when Messi is on the pitch. They don’t just perform better, but they play freer. Great leadership unlocks the best in the people around them through presence and shared purpose, not commands.
Instant Thought Experiment
Think about your last significant stumble. Did you release it and step forward fully? Or did the miss follow you into the next moment?
Mirror: Two Questions to Reflect On
༄ When things don’t go your way, can you release attachment to what should have happened and re-engage fully with what’s next?
༄ Who on your team is watching how you respond to setbacks right now and what are they learning?
Window Into Quiet Leadership
While the cameras stayed on Messi, another excellent leadership example at this World Cup is playing out almost entirely out of frame with a much younger player.
Ayyoub Bouaddi is 21, a defensive midfielder for Morocco. He doesn’t seek the spotlight. He doesn’t lead by shouting. Surrounded by seasoned veterans from Europe’s top leagues, he earns their trust through positional discipline, emotional composure, and tactical calm that steadies everyone around him. He quietly uplifts everyone, which is love at work.
Bottom line is this: You don’t have to be the greatest of all time to lead with love. The key is to bring all of you and do your best without being attached to the results, good or bad.
What the Research Says
Emotional contagion is a leader’s emotional state spreading through a group. It is well-documented in behavioral science. Composure after a setback is one of the most powerful signals a leader can send.
When the person at the center refuses to spiral, that steadiness becomes contagious. When they contract, that does too. Messi’s 29-minute turnaround mattered beyond the scoreboard, because he didn’t let the miss become the story.
Door Into Action: 5 Amare Leadership Steps to Reset Under Pressure
1. Name the miss without drama. One honest acknowledgment to yourself, and when appropriate, your team. No over-explaining is needed.
2. Release the outcome. You committed fully. The result wasn’t yours alone to control. Let the last moment be done.
3. Reconnect with purpose before your next move. Ask: Why does this work matter? Ground yourself there first.
4. Regulate before you respond. Emotional contagion is real. Steady yourself before you re-engage.
5. Model the reset visibly. Return with calm and full commitment. Your team watches what you do after the stumble and your composure is permission for theirs.
Amare Team Talk
Bring this to your next team meeting: “Tell me about a time you stumbled on something important and what you did next.” First share your own. Lead with honesty, not performance. Let the conversation go wherever it goes. Don’t manage it.
Making the Reset
Messi missed. The world watched. Then he chose to go forward. The fact that he then scored twice is great; and in the end, it wouldn’t matter because he reset and moved forward anyway.
The miss is not the measure. The reset is.
Go for it!
Love,
– Moshe
Today’s Amare Wave Wednesday Quote
“I’ve missed more than 9,000 shots in my career… I’ve failed over and over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed.”
— Michael Jordan, six-time NBA Champion and Basketball Hall of Fame inductee
Click here and read more Amare Wave Wednesday newsletters on related topics:
Leading with Truth in in a Great Leaders Rise Above Ego, Fear, and Greed: Here’s How
How to Navigate Strong Emotions To Not Derail Your Core Commitments: A Leader’s 5 Step Guide
Return to Zen: 8 Ways to Instantly Regain Your Cool in Heated Situations
Be a Better Leader: 10 Amare Ways to Get Out of Your Head and Into the Moment
Lead with Confidence: How to Stay Grounded in Times of Constant Change
Original article published on Inc.com.
