A few hours before playing the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, Lionel Messi shared a message on his social networks in which he left aside any reference to the result and focused on the journey he has lived with the Argentine team with an apparent taste of farewell. The Albiceleste captain assured that, regardless of what happens at MetLife Stadium, this team has already left an indelible mark.

The forward published the message on his Instagram account before the match that will mark his farewell to the World Cups. Argentina will seek to defend the title it has won in 2022, while Spain will try to add a second star to its history.

In his publication, Messi highlighted the value of the years shared with his teammates and with the coaching staff headed by Lionel Scaloni.

"The most beautiful thing about all these years was never just the titles, but the entire journey. Sharing day to day life with this group, competing together, getting up in difficult moments and enjoying every step."

The footballer also dedicated a few words to those who are part of the daily operation of the team.

“Thank you to each of my teammates, the coaching staff and all the people who work every day so that this National Team continues to be a family.”

Finally, he left a message that summarizes the meaning that this cycle has for the Argentine group.

“Whatever happens tomorrow, this group has already written a history that we will never forget and that no one will be able to erase.”

A final that pits the world champion against the European champion

The duel between Argentina and Spain will bring together the current world champion and the current European champion at MetLife Stadium in New York/New Jersey, in a match that will define the new monarch of international soccer.

For Messi it will be his last participation in a World Cup, while on the other side Lamine Yamal will appear, one of the leaders of the new Spanish generation and a footballer whom the Argentine captain himself recently praised.

The team led by Lionel Scaloni arrives after advancing through a series of comebacks during the tournament, culminating in the victory over England in the semifinals. Throughout the competition, different footballers took center stage at different times, including Cristian Romero, Enzo Fernández, Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.

Spain, for its part, reached the final after leaving France behind. Luis de la Fuente's team modified some aspects compared to the team that won the Euro Cup and found one of its main strengths in collective functioning. Rodrigo Hernández has been one of the most outstanding players in the championship, while the coach even made decisions such as leaving Pedri on the bench to reinforce the team's structure.

The match will also involve a duel between two coaches who maintain a relationship of mutual respect. De la Fuente was Scaloni's teacher and now both will seek to win the biggest title in national team football.

As for possible lineups, Spain could repeat the eleven used in its two previous games, with Lamine Yamal and Pedro Porro available after overcoming physical discomfort. In Argentina, Scaloni evaluates the entry of Gonzalo Montiel on the right side and the return of Rodrigo De Paul to the midfield, in addition to maintaining Messi and Julián Álvarez as the offensive axis.

The best attack of the tournament will face the most solid defense of the competition, with a stage prepared to define the new world champion and put an end to Lionel Messi's World Cup career.