Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised captain Lionel Messi as a "legend" ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain, highlighting the significance of witnessing the 39-year-old star continue to compete at the highest level. The reigning champions are seeking to defend their title after defeating England 2-1 in the semi-finals on Wednesday.
Messi, who played for Barcelona during much of his club career, has experienced a remarkable resurgence in international football over the past five years. Since helping Argentina win the 2021 Copa America—ending a 28-year drought for major trophies—the forward has also played a pivotal role in securing back-to-back Copa America titles and the 2022 World Cup, his first with the national team.
Scaloni emphasized Messi’s impact on the sport and Argentina’s current success, calling him the best player in football history. The coach reflected on Messi’s earlier international challenges, noting his brief retirement from the Argentina squad in 2016 following a fourth Copa America final defeat. "It fills me with pride because he is the best player in the history of football," Scaloni said. "To have been able to get to a final in the way that he has in this moment, at the age of 39, I think it is incredible."
At this edition of the World Cup, Messi has already scored eight goals, bringing his total to 21 in World Cup tournaments, making him the competition’s all-time leading scorer. Scaloni urged fans to appreciate the opportunity to watch Messi live, citing the enduring legacy of Diego Maradona, another Argentine football icon whose passing left a lasting void.
The coach said, "We still have Leo and we should appreciate that. He is the historic figure and the legend, as are all these players who have given us these marvelous years."
Argentina’s current era of success, marked by strong performances on the global stage, stands in sharp contrast to the decades-long wait for silverware that preceded it. The team will now aim to secure back-to-back World Cup victories for the first time in their history as they face a strong Spanish side in the final.