East Rutherford [New Jersey], July 19: Spain and Argentina will both be aiming to create more history when they square off in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final at the New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Lionel Messi's Argentina are bidding to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back FIFA World Cups, while Spain are trying to lift the trophy for a second time after their maiden victory in 2010.
Fronting Argentina's charge will be Messi, with head coach Lionel Scaloni urging fans to make the most of seeing the skipper lead his team out in another FIFA World Cup final at the age of 39.
"He has made history. He is a legend," Scaloni said of the former Barcelona player, who has already helped Argentina win a FIFA World Cup and back-to-back Copa America titles in the last five years.
Messi's international career has enjoyed a remarkable late renaissance - a decade ago he briefly retired from the Argentina team at the age of 29 after a Copa America final loss to Chile, his fourth defeat in a final for his country.
Messi and Scaloni hugged on the pitch at full-time after Wednesday's 2-1 semi-final win over England, with the Argentine captain calling that victory "pure history".
"It fills me with pride because he is the best player in the history of football," Scaloni said of Messi, who has scored eight goals at this FIFA World Cup, which is his sixth, and is the tournament's all-time top scorer with 21.
"To have been able to get to a final in the way that he has at this moment, at the age of 39, I think it is incredible." Scaloni, however, knows that Argentina can't solely depend on Messi against a Spanish side who have grown with each match.
They were simply superb against France in the semi-finals and Argentina can expect another tactical masterclass from the reigning European champions on Sunday.
"They are a great team. Everything worries me about them," Scaloni admitted.
Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente said "special attention" would be paid to Messi but ruled out trying to man-mark the Argentina captain.
De la Fuente told reporters on Friday that he knows from experience the challenges of using man-to-man marking against the eight-time Ballon D'Or winner.
The Spanish tactician recalled an experience from when he was coaching Sevilla's youth team while Messi was playing junior football for Barcelona, underlining how it was impossible to keep him quiet for the whole match.
"I first encountered him when I was coaching the Sevilla youth team," he said. "We went to Barcelona, and I had heard great things about a kid named Messi.
"So we assigned a player to mark him man-to-man, but in the 70th minute, I substituted the marker because he was on a yellow card.
The score was 0-0, and in the span of 15 minutes, Messi scored four goals against us.
"So we won't use man-to-man marking this time. We have to stay alert and pay special attention, certainly," de la Fuente added.
Spain will be confident they can control Messi after a campaign that has seen resilience from them.
While the silky midfield control of Rodri, Dani Olmo, Pedri and Fabian Ruiz has grabbed the headlines, the cornerstone of Spanish success has been their defence.
A back four of newly signed Real Madrid left-back Marc Cucurella, centre-backs Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsi and right-back Pedro Porro have conceded just one goal in seven matches.
Another clean sheet on Sunday would see Spain establish a new record for the fewest goals conceded in a FIFA World Cup-winning campaign, which currently stands at two and is shared by France (1998), Italy (2006) and Spain (2010).
Aiming to deny them will be Barcelona legend Messi.
Luis de la Fuente expects 'fantastic spectacle'
Meanwhile, Spain boss Luis de la Fuente spoke of his admiration for Argentina and believes the World Cup final will be a "fantastic spectacle."
Argentina have been portrayed in some quarters as a dirty team following their semi-final victory over England but De la Fuente was full of praise for opposite number Lionel Scaloni and his men ahead of Sunday's clash.
As reported by Marca, De la Fuente said: "It will be a fantastic spectacle. They are two super teams, with many similarities. Each of us will try to dictate the game to our advantage, but both teams will play a match where talent prevails.
"I have great admiration for the national team (of Argentina). They've just made history and are managed by a friend of mine. Everyone will use their footballing tactics, but this is a football match." Spain captain Rodri insisted his side will not be sucked into any provocation from their opponents.
"It's just another part of football," said the Manchester City midfielder. "We'll see how the game unfolds.
"I like to think they're a team that gives their all and wants to be decisive but, if that happens, we won't take the bait and we'll ignore it."
De la Fuente shrugged off any concerns over the fitness of star man Lamine Yamal, while he spoke about the challenge of trying to stop Messi, saying: "We won't man-mark him, but we'll be vigilant."
Spain are looking to add a second World Cup title to the one they won in 2010 as they seek to become European and global champions
Source: Qatar Tribune
