‘It will be a special match’ – Lionel Messi gives verdict on facing Spain in FIFA World Cup 2026 final
(Courtesy : Getty)
Lionel Messi’s Argentina will take on Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final.
Argentina have been a standout team in the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup 2026 in North America. The defending champions have fought their way to the final, where they are scheduled to take on European champions Spain on July 19.
Lionel Messi has been the star of the show for his nation, leading the goalscoring chart with eight strikes to his name. The 39-year-old has been in stunning form, setting up four more goals. Two of those assists came in La Albiceleste’s 2-1 comeback win against England in the semi-finals.
The victory booked their place in the final, which will be played at the MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The South American giants are aiming to become only the third team to successfully defend their World Cup title.
Spain, meanwhile, cruised past France with a 2-0 win in the semi-finals, setting up a showpiece fixture against La Albiceleste on Sunday night.
Messi said that La Roja will be their toughest test yet in the tournament, mainly due to the familiarity between the two sets of players.
“Spain are a great team with outstanding players and a very distinctive style of play. They’re a team I know very well, with a football philosophy they’ve been following for many years. I know their players too,” Messi said after the match against England.
“I’ve faced many of them, and I still follow them. Several of them play for Barcelona, a club I love and continue to follow. So it will be a special match because it’s a World Cup final, and naturally I expect it to be a very even game.”
The Argentine skipper also heaped praise on his teammates, saying that they have continued to enjoy sustained success despite being under constant scrutiny from opponents and fans.
“It’s crazy what this group has been doing: five finals. We’re coming off winning the World Cup; we’ve been the best team over the last four years, and today we’re among the two best teams in the world (with) another final,” Messi said.
“No matter how much it hurts or what people say, this group keeps proving that nobody gives you anything on the pitch.”
Also Read: Top five teams with most goals in single FIFA World Cup edition
Messi’s message to Argentina fans
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner also gave a heartfelt message to La Albiceleste’s fans, saying that the players remain committed to giving everything for the nation.
“To the fans, I say the same thing I said in Qatar: enjoy it. This team will never let you down. This World Cup has been absolutely crazy, and reaching another World Cup final is incredible,” he said.
“Even though it was a football match, from the moment the national anthem started, we experienced something special. This wasn’t just another victory; the Argentine people desperately wanted it.”
He further reflected on football’s impact on the Argentine people, saying that the team’s success on football’s biggest stage offers a glimmer of hope and happiness during difficult times.
“We know the World Cup is something special for us. It helps us forget, even for a while, all the hardships one goes through. There are people without jobs, people who struggle to make it to the end of the month, who are fighting every single day,” the 39-year-old said.
“We’re proud and happy to be able to give this joy to the people.”
When is Spain vs Argentina FIFA World Cup 2026 final?
The final is on Sunday, July 19, 2026, at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. In India, the match will kick off at 12:30 AM IST on July 20.
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Sushruta has spent over two years covering football, with a particular focus on Indian and international competitions. Alongside football, he has reported on a variety of sports, bringing curiosity and perspective to every story. When he’s not following the action, he can usually be found binge-watching movies or getting lost in a good book.