EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Lionel Messi rarely loses. Spain never loses. That has been the story of recent years, and on Sunday July 19 at MetLife Stadium, the two superpowers of world football collide in what promises to be one of the most anticipated World Cup finals in history.
Defending champion Argentina seeks to become the first team to win back-to-back men's World Cups since Pele's Brazil in 1958 and 1962. Standing in their way is a Spain side that has not lost in 37 consecutive matches, unbeaten since early 2024 with a 28-0-9 record under coach Luis de la Fuente.
"On Sunday, we will watch a great show," said Spain coach Luis de la Fuente. "Two great national teams — two superteams, in my opinion — very similar in some aspects in terms of attitude, footballers' talent. I think that it's going to be an amazing final."
For Lionel Messi, 39, this is the last dance with the Albiceleste jersey. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner has indicated this will be his final World Cup appearance. Argentina reached the final by beating England 2-1 in Atlanta, while Spain defeated France 3-1 in their semifinal.
The match is loaded with compelling storylines. Messi, born in Argentina but raised in Spain from age 13, could have played for La Roja — Spanish federation officials tried to convince him many times — but he never wavered in his loyalty to Argentina. Sunday marks his first match against Spain since a friendly in 2010. There is also the remarkable tale of Lamine Yamal, 19, who was photographed as a baby with a young Messi: on Sunday they will share the pitch in a World Cup final.
Spain will be without Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, due to injury — a significant absence for the Spanish midfield. De la Fuente's side seeks their second World Cup title after 2010. Argentina, winners of the last two Copa América editions (2021 and 2024), would crown a golden era.
"The best footballer that the world has seen," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said of Messi. Over 80,000 fans are expected at MetLife Stadium, with a global audience estimated at around 2 billion. It is the first World Cup final where both teams share Spanish as their native language since 1930.
Sources
- https://apnews.com/article/messi-spain-argentina-world-cup-final-bd35b9beccfc120ec0a78fd72162f33c
