Argentina: “Get ready for a historic final against Spain” | OneFootball

Argentina just refuses to make life easy.

After squeezing by Cabo Verde, rallying past Egypt, surviving Switzerland, and staging a dramatic comeback against England, La Albiceleste is back where it apparently lives these days: the World Cup final. It marks Argentina’s third appearance in the title match in the last four World Cups, further cementing the nation’s golden era under Lionel Scaloni.

Ahead of Sunday’s showdown with Spain, Scaloni made it clear that admiration doesn’t disappear just because a trophy is on the line.

SCALONI REMEMBERS LUIS DE LA FUENTE

The Argentine manager admitted Spain is the team that worries him the most because of its talent and the football it has displayed throughout the tournament. He also revealed he has maintained a good relationship with Spain boss Luis de la Fuente, recalling the moment they reunited years after first crossing paths.

Scaloni explained that both coaches share a similar football philosophy, with possession and proactive play serving as the foundation of their teams, even if each adds their own twist.

PROMISING A FINAL WORTH THE HYPE

According to Scaloni, neither side is built to sit back and hope for penalties.

He expects an open, intense and historic final filled with quality football, insisting the biggest winner should be the fans watching—assuming nobody decides to park a double-decker bus after kickoff.

DIBU ON ARGENTINA’S DNA

Goalkeeper Emiliano “Dibu” Martínez also reflected on what defines this Argentine generation, saying the squad perfectly represents the country’s identity.

Martínez pointed out that most of the players come from working-class families and that mentality carries onto the pitch, where giving up simply isn’t an option.

He added that he hopes this team will be remembered for its effort, unity and refusal to surrender—qualities he believes define every Argentine.

ANOTHER DATE WITH HISTORY

Argentina now has the chance to lift another World Cup and further elevate a generation that has already secured its place among football’s greatest.

Standing in the way is Spain, chasing only its second world title in what has all the ingredients of a classic.

MESSI FINALLY ADDRESSES THAT PHOTO

As if the Fanatics Festival didn’t already have enough star power—with Novak Djoković, Tom Brady and Kevin Durant sharing the stage alongside Scaloni and Martínez—Lionel Messi found himself answering perhaps the internet’s favorite question before the final.

Yes, that photo.

The photoshoot was part of a charity calendar organized by Catalan newspaper Sportand UNICEF. Yamal’s family won a raffle held in the Roca Fonda neighborhood of Mataró, earning the chance to participate in the session alongside a young Barcelona star: Lionel Messi.

One of the now-iconic photos shows a teenage Messi holding baby Yamal in a small bathtub, while another features Yamal’s mother, Sheila Ebana, posing alongside them.

Turns out football really does have the best long-term storytelling department.

THE STORY BEHIND THE VIRAL PHOTOS

“That photo is crazy. He was just a baby. Honestly, I laugh every time I see it. It’s crazy. Right now he’s one of the best players in the world. I wish him nothing but the best, always, for him and for Barcelona,” Messi said during a FIFA event.

The Argentine captain also made it clear that all the admiration in the world ends once the whistle blows.

“We’ll try to play a better game so he doesn’t have his best version, although that’s difficult. Not just because of him, but because Spain arrives with great players. We have our own weapons too,” he added.