Exciting match ahead: Messi talks about Spain before Argentina clash in the 2026 World Cup final.
On 17 July 2026, Lionel Messi, the star captain of Argentina's national football team, gave an interview about Spain, their final opponent before the 2026 World Cup final scheduled for Sunday, 19 July.
A key highlight of this match is the duel between 39-year-old Lionel Messi and 19-year-old Lamine Yamal. Messi once bathed the young Spanish star when Yamal was just four months old during a calendar photo shoot in November 2007. This was part of a project by the Barça Foundation in collaboration with Diario Sport newspaper, with proceeds donated to UNICEF.
Moreover, Spain's national team includes eight players from Barcelona, Messi's former club, led by Lamine Yamal, Pedri, Gavi, and Eric Garcia, who have previously been teammates.
Regarding the 2026 World Cup final where Argentina will face Spain, Lionel Messi said, "They are an excellent team with many talented players who play beautiful football."
"This is a team I know well. They have a football philosophy and have adhered to this style for a long time. I know these players well, having faced them on the field and followed their performances closely. Many still play for Barça, the club I love and have always supported."
"This is a very special game because it is the World Cup final. I expect the match to be very closely contested."