Argentina national team coach Lionel Scaloni spoke at a press conference before the World Cup final.
Lionel Scaloni held a press conference before Argentina’s match against Spain in the World Cup final where he spoke about the team. Here is what he had to say:
“We prepare just like in every match, with a lot of desire for things to go well for us, with a willingness to analyze the opponent. We need to bring out our best version to try to win.
“I think we are good, beyond the things that we can improve on, like always. We are a team that’s already well known by our opponents and that’s why it has double merit to have reached where we have. We’ll try to win that final.
“Just resting after the trip. They made us train on a schedule we didn’t want. Pretty rushed without trying anything. We are focused on resting. We’ll see how we arrive. There are players who are not 100%, we’ll see how we are doing for Sunday. The one tomorrow will be an important training but in principle, every player is well.
“It’s impossible to see everything that happens to our people not touch our hearts. We play for them and we have recovered something that’s very valuable, which is that people stand in front of the television and give a hug to a fan from another club.
“It’s good to show emotions, it’s part of life and of who we are. It makes us more human.
“Eternally grateful from the coaching staff to these players. It’s not easy to compete at this level for so many years, it’s something wonderful. Hopefully we win but the journey has been incredible and an example for everyone.”
Scaloni also spoke about his hug with Lionel Messi after the match against England and if the World Cup final is Messi’s last match with Argentina:
“He told me “we are pure history” but pure history is him, a legend. For me, hearing him say that fills me with pride, that the greatest footballer the world has ever seen thinks about this group is something wonderful.
“Having been able to reach a final the way Leo has, at the moment he’s in, at 39 years old, is incredible. We have to value what he does and the story and the legend that he is and this group of players that have led us to wonderful years.
“I have no idea, it’s a question for him. I don’t know because he never stops surprising.”
He also spoke about the match against Spain:
“We are two national teams that base everything on the ball. The patterns of play, it’s clear, revolve around the ball with some nuances but we think similarly in that regard.
“We have been analyzing the possible World Cup opponents since December, it’s not that we have analyze Spain more than any other. Over analysis isn’t good either. We are a national team that know each other.
“Spain went from less to more, the last match was the best against a great opponent like France.”
I have always been wondering that where does this WC sit in the overall universe balance theory. 2022 had to be Messi’s for the amount of suffering and he redeemed himself and his story arc was complete and the documentaries and movies were also made on this amazing script.
Now for a moment it felt is this going to be Yamal’s WC … Past & Present (Messi) passes the baton to Present & Future (Yamal). Yamal & his team has already conquered CR7 and Mbappe and so will it be …..
But then I realised …. No, the universe conspiracy theory could be more intricate. Messi was pinned down as a footballer who lost most (4) finals – 2007, 2014, 2015 & 2016. So he has to win 4 finals – if I take out Finnalisima then its only 3 so far.
But also then I realised with goosebumps that lowest point in Messi’s career was 2016 when he missed the penalty and we lost to Chile and he announced his retirement crying. That was Met Life stadium ….. and IF GOD WILLS …. Messi documentaries and movies will have to made again as he will complete the climax and amazing arc of this beautiful story at Met Life stadium tonight with a 4th star to Albiceleste!
England is cooking France. They should be 4-0 up by now
I didn’t like the fact that Argentina had one day less than Spain to rest and prepare. The final had to be played on a Sunday, but that only strengthens the case for holding both semifinals on the same day. A World Cup final should never begin with one team enjoying a recovery advantage.
Argentina will need to reach the heights they did in the 4–1 win over Brazil. Even that may not be enough, because this Spain side is a truly superlative team. To beat them, Argentina will have to produce something special.
It’s a tradition though that the host country is given that one extra date before the final, as this was planned hoping that USA would reach the final. Every world cup, the bracket of the host country is given same privilege.
yes, having one day rest is a disadvantage. 2014 we also had it. 2022 we had a day more to rest. but it is what is. spain had a harder road to the final in the knock out stages. but we will win.
Yes, thats true …. of 14 Finals – 12 have been won by the team with extra day rest and only 2 by the team less rested. But this team can do anything and break any jinx or record so I a hopeful.
🚨🇦🇷 As incredible as it may sound, 33-year-old Nicolás Tagliafico is currently the fastest defender at the 2026 FIFA World Cup!
🏃 Fastest top speeds recorded at the tournament:
🥇 36.2 km/h — 🇦🇷 Nicolás Tagliafico
🥈 36.1 km/h — 🇫🇷 Jules Koundé
🥈 36.1 km/h — 🇨🇭 Djibril Sow
🥉 36.0 km/h — 🇺🇿 Abbosbek Fayzullaev
🥉 36.0 km/h — 🇦🇷 Nahuel Molina
Age is just a number. Tagliafico continues to prove why he’s one of Argentina’s most reliable warriors on the biggest stage. 💙⚡
Source?? Tagi used to be quick when he was young
Its on all football data apps like Fotomob etc.
Seen this. While this is impressive, this is too speed, which unlike acceleration is not the first thing you need to block speedy attacker.
In the final we have to score fast…we have to play the 80 minute play between 20 to 40 minutes time or more properly after 1st hydration break….and we have to kill the game before 70 mins
Judging by the amount set 4 games that’s not true
The only thing they cannot do is allow Spain a late lead then run out of time don’t do nothing maintain a shape way of play at 00 in 80 th min then concede
Do not allow that
Lanime and pedro peron not 100% fit..
This are all mind games from Spain
Scaloni is the mid game no be even remotely close
Bad omen! Drake has placed a 1.5M dollars bet on Argentina to win. Damn!
Bad omen? I want to tell you something that might boost your confidence if you’re into this sort of stuff.
Only three times in World Cup history has a team won a qfinal 3 to 1: Italy in 1938, Brazil in 1962, and Argentina in 2026. Italy and Brazil are the only teams to have successfully won back to back World Cups, and now Argentina is on the verge of doing the same.
Not only that, but all three matches followed the exact same pattern. The eventual winners scored first, the losing team equalized, and then the winners scored two more goals to win 3 to 1.
Then there’s Messi’s Argentina shirt numbers ( senior and Youth level ): 10, 18, 15, and 19.
Argentina won the 2021 Copa America on 10 July.
Argentina won the 2022 World Cup on 18 December.
Argentina won the 2024 Copa America on 15 July (local time in Miami). The match was supposed to finish before 15 July, but because of the two hour delay and extra time, it ended after midnight on 15 July, matching another one of Messi’s Argentina shirt numbers.
Now guess what date the World Cup final is being played tomorrow?
19 July.
That’s the last shirt number Messi wore for Argentina.
Do you feel better now?
@chris brown.
I feel much better now.😌 😀😀
How about @magni vincent
A’ight. Sounds good. 😂😂
😁👍
This seleccion never stops surprising us. I know 22 was different – but when we came out and dominated a very strong French team, I was so happy. I said “wow we got this!” We just couldn’t finish strong. But we pulled through !
This team always plays just a notch above their opponents level of play. I truly think they all were trying to conserve energy. It’s a VERY long tournament and you have to pace yourself. I believe we will watch a beautiful game tomorrow. One full of non-stop energy and hyper focus.
VAMMOSSS ARGENTINA!!!!
Whats the opinion regarding lineup? Stick to the England game or make changes?
I would love to add montiel and nico in and Molina and Simeone out. Cause Molina was giving horrors last game and looked completely unreliable. Simeone did well but Nico should be added to help tagliafico to defend yamal together..
What you all think?
Nico had a disastrous match against Barcelona and Yamal in April 2026 where he was repeatedly beaten by Yamal and ultimately sent off over a challenge on Yamal. I’m not sure if it would be a good idea to put Nico against Yamal again.
Muchachos! I am back online after several days of absence. After many wonderful fans were frustrated, disappointed, criticized our coach and his staff, and some of the forwards for not scoring eventually they silenced their critics and filled our soul with joy once again. I had said this team was different mentally and emotionally. I said it was okay for Messi to score for now and when the time comes for others to step in they will. I was calm, cool knowing the team will deliver; and of course, stressed during the game against Egypt and England, but I knew Argentina would make it to the final. Here we are all the amazing fans all over the world who support this team for years. We suffered so much from 1990 – 2020, but we didn’t stop following our beloved Albiceleste. Scaloni for me is the best thing that could ever happened to the team. I have a lot of respect for him and respect his understanding, knowledge and his emotions about the game. In the final against France he gave us something memorable for 70 minutes and some human error lead to the painful extra time, but somehow the team managed to lift the trophy. Tomorrow, I expect a master class from him and the team. The players know what at stake and they all come from hard working families who have the grit to overcome difficulties. I hope tomorrow our joy will last for another two to four years. I was supposed to be in Qatar for the Finalissima but somehow it was cancelled and I am sure we’ll find solace. I hope tomorrow God lifts Messi and Argentina to the clouds. Messi is so humble sometimes I see the persona of Christ in him.
To my fellow members from New Jersey, how’s the air and weather looking this morning?
It is awful in DC area but I think much of the heavy smoke will be cleared by tomorrow evening.
Heavy rain today here in northeast NJ on and around the stadium. They are hoping it clears up a lot of the smog.
Guys this really may be Messi’s final ever match for Argentina!
What a crazy journey it’s been for him and for us!
Spain begged him to play for them, but he rejected them for Argentina. Tomorrow may be a reminder why he did that.
The world expects it to be a Messi #10 vs Yamal #19 match but the truth is we are all hoping for a Messi #19 performance one last time <3
A lot of us all started doubting Scaloni. I never said it , but even I had doubts in my heart, especially during the Switzerland game. But the England match proved once again why he is by far the best national team coach in the world.
Every single substitution he made had an impact and made Argentina more dangerous while pushing England onto the back foot. I thought he was crazy for taking off Paredes and bringing on Nico, but the game looked so much better almost immediately after that change. Then came the Montiel, Lautaro and De Paul substitutions. Every sub made us significantly better. Even the Otamendi sub was crucial. He won multiple aerial duels against Dan Brown, who is almost six inches taller than him.
Hats off to Scaloni. He is still the man, and he proved it against England outclassing a TOP tier club level coach Tuchel. Peaking at exactly the right time. Now we just need one more masterclass from him. If he doesn’t, that’s completely fine too. He has already won four titles, and I honestly can’t ask for more. I’m fully satisfied regardless of what happens against Spain.
Against Spain, we will have to score the goal first. Their ball control is a level above us, in our case even Enzo makes mispasses at times, something you wont see with Spain.
I hope we put in a great performance like the final in 2022. No matter who Scaloni send in, all of them will have to put in their best performance and be at near perfect level in pressing and passing.
As always, in Messi & Scaloni, we trust! 💙🇦🇷
All the best to all albiceleste fans from Kerala, 🇮🇳
The Uruguay vs Spain match should be a case study for us. It was the only game where Spain looked genuinely vulnerable. After the match, even Spain’s coach admitted, “We couldn’t put three passes together.” If necessary, Scaloni should even consult Bielsa for tactical insight, just like Arteta has sought advice from Pep.
Lmaoo I don’t know if Arteta’s ever asked Pep for advice WHILE he’s been managing Arsenal lol – maybe when he was his assistant?
Before the 2025 UCL qfinal game against Real Madrid, he called Pep and asked for advice.
FIFA Should have organized the two semi-finals at the same time as if now Spain had a better recovery time than Argentina which is unfair…….many players may be unfit for the less time they have
May be that’s the reason why most of the winners in the last 10-16 years are all semifinal 1 winners except Spain.Now it is time for Argentina.As most of you remember,Spain were the 1st team in the worldcup history to win a world cup after losing their opener.Argentina did the same in 2022.Lets do a semifinal 2 winner with the world cup.
Imagine how Messi must be feeling right now. It all comes down to this. Some of the opponent players are people he has seen as babies. Really, has anything like this ever happened before? This is crazy.
This is one match where I don’t care who starts or who plays on the left, right, center, or anywhere else. Just win. That’s enough. Win for the people—some of them Argentina national team fans—who are suffering around the world because of all the crazy things happening. A win would give all of us at least some relief from the tension and create memories that will be cherished forever.
Seeing us win once in my lifetime was already incredible. Seeing us win twice would be absolutely crazy.
Love carrying the underdog tag. This NT is definitely the dog that bites hardest when it matters!!
Irrespective of what happens on Sunday, I’ve witnessed the most pulsating NT performance in my four decades of following the Albiceleste. While there are no words left to praise the LIONEL duo, the way Paredes, Romero and Licha have risen to the occasion has been incredible.
Lautaro + Enzo have peaked at exactly the right time. Alvarez, Tagliafico and Alexis have been the silent workhorses who make everything tick. Confident that Dibu will rise to the occasion in the final. Guiliano continues to be the menace that will make his dad proud. Nico G, Ota , De Paul,Almada will be perfect impact subs.Praying Molina saves one of his LaLiga golazos tomorrow and finally puts his rough run behind him.
But the biggest redemption story has to be Messi returning to MetLife Stadium, where he suffered heartbreak in the Copa América final a decade ago. Football scripts don’t get much better than that!!!
Spain is undoubtedly a machine. But our ability to disrupt rhythm, our aerial threat, and Messi being Messi can make this the perfect swan song for the GOAT and his gang. And who knows—after being insulated for most of the tournament in climate-controlled stadiums, Spain gets their first real bullfight tango on Sunday as we march towards La Cuarta Estrella. Vamos Argentina forever.
I remember 2002, when I was 16 and living in East Africa, as my first World Cup as an Argentina fan. I’d actually become a fan in 1999, but that match against England left a bad taste, and Juan Veron was terrible.
Fast forward 24 years, and Argentina beating England in the World Cup semi-final gave me one of my favorite football memories. Only winning the 2022 World Cup topped that, and maybe winning the Copa in Brazil in 2021 too. I really hope Argentina wins the World Cup on Sunday, God willing.
I was 21 by then. That defeat pissed me off. To make things worse Brazil winning world cup hurt me more.
Wish everyone will play with high intensity and dedication. Last chance for Messi to kick on the face of Laporte by destroying Spain!!! Vamos Argentina!