Argentina Coach Hails Messi's Legacy Ahead of World Cup Final Against Spain

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has urged fans to cherish the opportunity to witness Lionel Messi lead the team in another World Cup final, as the defending champions prepare to face Spain this weekend. Speaking ahead of the final at MetLife Stadium near New York City, Scaloni described Messi as a legend who has made history.

Messi, aged 39, has already secured a World Cup title and consecutive Copa America victories in the past five years, ending a 28-year drought for major international trophies. Scaloni noted that the team's journey has been remarkable, saying, "It was not easy to get here and to compete at this level over so many years."

Argentina reached the final after a 2-1 semi-final win over England on Wednesday. Messi, who has scored eight goals in this World Cup—his sixth—and is the tournament's all-time top scorer with 21 goals, called the victory "pure history." Scaloni praised Messi's resilience, recalling that the forward briefly retired from international football a decade ago following a Copa America final loss.

"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," Scaloni said. "He is the best player in the history of football." The coach also drew comparisons to Diego Maradona, urging fans to appreciate Messi while he is still playing.

Argentina aim to become the first nation in 64 years to win back-to-back World Cups. However, they face a formidable opponent in Spain, the reigning European champions. Scaloni acknowledged the challenge, saying, "Everything worries me about them." He declined to speculate whether this would be Messi's last World Cup appearance, given the next tournament is in 2030.

The final is scheduled for Sunday at MetLife Stadium, with both teams vying for the sport's highest honour.