After assisting both goals to help Argentina come from behind to beat England 2-1 in the semifinals, Messi spoke emotionally about the tournament's final match, saying, "This is a special match."

This is not only Messi's third World Cup final with Argentina, but the showdown at Metlife on 19/7 is even more special because the opponent will be Spain. Spain is the country that nurtured the Albiceleste captain from the age of 13 and witnessed his growth into one of history's greatest players.

Messi once envisioned Argentina facing Spain in the World Cup's final match. In late 2005, after winning the U20 World Cup and securing both the Golden Ball and Golden Boot awards, Messi told EFE news agency in an interview, "It would be great if the World Cup final was Argentina against Spain."

Lionel Messi at a press conference before the 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in New York on 17/7. Photo: AP

More than 20 years later, football has delivered Messi the exact scenario he once dreamed of. During that period, Spain won the 2010 World Cup, while Argentina triumphed in Qatar 2022, overcoming the pain of their 2014 final defeat to Germany.

The wait was so long that when Messi first voiced his dream, Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi were not yet born. Gavi was just over one year old, and Pedri was only three years old. Today, all four of these young talents are stars for the Spanish national team and Barca, and they all consider Messi their idol.

Before the final, Messi stated he knows the opponent well. "I know many of their players, I've faced them before, and I always follow them. Many of them play for Barca," the Argentina captain told TyC Sports. Messi has faced 13 of the 26 players called up by coach Luis de la Fuente for the 2026 World Cup. In 81 matches against these players, he scored 62 goals.

Messi also emphasized that Argentina's presence in two consecutive World Cup finals is not due to luck. "Once again, we are in the final between the two strongest teams in the world," he added. "This proves that everything we have achieved is not by chance, and no one has handed us anything. Reaching two consecutive World Cup finals is an achievement very few national teams accomplish, and this squad has done it."

Joining the La Masia academy as a boy, Messi was quickly recognized as a unique talent. The Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) repeatedly tried to persuade him to play for their national team, but the Barca legend never wavered, asserting that playing for Argentina was always his greatest aspiration.

Like Diego Maradona, Messi dreamed for many years of lifting the World Cup trophy. He is now aiming for a second consecutive World Cup glory with his national team. If he scores in the 2026 final against Spain, Messi will also equal or surpass Kylian Mbappe's record of 22 goals in World Cups.

Vy Anh