Lionel Messi posted a message about the Argentina national team before the World Cup final.
Messi and the Argentina national team will play against Spain in the World Cup final and Messi posted a message on his Instagram. Here is what he posted:
“The most beautiful thing about all of these years was never just the titles but the entire journey. Sharing the day to day with this group, competing together, getting back up in the difficult moments and enjoying every step.
“Thank you to each one of my team mates, to the coaching staff and to all the people who work every day so that this national team continues to be a family.
“Whatever happens tomorrow, this group has already written a story that we will never forget and that no one will be able to erase.”
Whatever this Argentina team has achieved under Lionel Scaloni is nothing short of extraordinary.
When he was appointed after the 2018 World Cup debacle, the scepticism was understandable. He lacked the résumé, the stature, and the experience people expected from someone entrusted with coaching Lionel Messi. After years of disappointment, judging him by conventional standards seemed perfectly reasonable.
The early results were mixed. But there were signs.
Lautaro Martínez immediately caught my eye. The 2019 Copa América campaign won’t occupy many pages in football history, yet two moments made me believe. First, Scaloni convinced Messi to return when many wondered whether his international journey was over. Second, Argentina fought back from two goals down against Germany to earn a draw. That night I began to see a different team emerging. De Paul, Paredes, Ocampos, Acuña, Alario—they all hinted at a new identity.
Then, slowly and quietly, Argentina became something they had not been for years: a team that refused to lose. Even on days they played ordinary football, they found ways to win. The unbeaten run followed. Then the Copa América. Then the Finalissima. Then the World Cup. The rest is football history.
I’ve watched every Argentina match since 2012. To witness this transformation—from a fractured constellation of stars to one of the strongest footballing units in the world—has been a privilege.
But history guarantees nothing today.
Spain are, in my opinion, the most complete side in this tournament. They have dismantled France, conceded just one goal throughout the competition, and possess a level of tactical discipline and technical quality that makes them formidable. Add to that a generational talent like Lamine Yamal, and Argentina face perhaps their toughest examination under Scaloni.
Argentina, meanwhile, have been good without consistently being great. They’ve shown immense resilience and character, repeatedly finding a way back into games. But surviving difficult moments cannot be the game plan in a World Cup final.
Against England, Messi’s pass for Lautaro’s winner was the perfect illustration. It was measured to the inch—an inch lower and a defender clears it, an inch higher and Lautaro cannot reach it. That moment demanded the genius of Messi and perhaps a touch of fortune. Finals cannot be won by relying on genius and luck alone.
Today, every Argentine player has to raise his game several notches above anything we’ve seen from this team in the tournament so far. If there was ever a day for Mac Allister, Enzo, De Paul, Julián, Cuti, Tagliafico and everyone else to produce their finest performance, this is it.
Individual records will eventually be broken. Mbappé may well finish as the greatest World Cup goalscorer because he still has more tournaments ahead of him. Lamine Yamal or another prodigy may one day surpass Messi’s assist numbers. That’s football.
But some achievements belong to teams, not individuals.
If Argentina can tactically outthink and outfight this magnificent Spain side today, they won’t just win another World Cup. They’ll carve out a team legacy that could stand for generations—a benchmark that future champions will find incredibly difficult to surpass.
Spain are technically brilliant. Argentina must be tactically brilliant.
One last masterpiece, boys. Make history. 🇦🇷 Already my eyes are watery.
Simeone should not start. I prefer Almada or Nico Gonzalez.
Final will be battle of mid field
I think Simeone will surprise us if he starts. Spain suits him much more than England in my opinion.
But spaish full backs plays in English club
Vamos vamos vamos
Argentina’s gonna win the World Cup again today, God willing.
Anulo mufa
Come back with your shield, or on it.
There is nothing particularly special about this Spain team. Atlético Madrid, whose squad includes several Argentina internationals had a record of 2 wins and 3 losses across all competitions against Barcelona, in the 2025-26 season. Atlético Madrid is like “Argentina B”
I actually think England posed the tougher challenge. Given the history between the two nations and the magnitude of the rivalry, the match carried far more emotion and tension than a typical semifinal. In many ways, that was Argentina’s real stress test.
If Argentina could overcome England in such a high-pressure, emotionally charged game, they’ll take a lot of confidence into the final
If Argentina’s midfield can maintain possession, avoid giving the ball away cheaply, play progressively rather than sideways, and stay proactive instead of reactive, I believe they have every chance of winning a fourth World Cup.
Let’s do it for Messi. One last time. Let’s bring home the fourth star and give the football God a farewell worthy of the Gods.
That was very well articulated, and I agreed with 90% of it, but Spain is seriously good. However, I genuinely believe Argentina can beat them. It will be Spain’s biggest test they will face since they won the Euros in 2024.
Anulo mufa
What a journey. ❤️
Thank you, Leo, for giving us so many unforgettable weekends and memories that will stay with us forever.
Without you, who will keep the Ballon d’Or debates alive? Who’s going to score those magical hat-tricks every other week and leave us speechless?
Football will never feel quite the same.
We’re going to miss you, my brother. 🐐💙