Messi is a Living Legend of Football History: Argentine Coach Scaloni
Argentina's head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has hailed captain Lionel Messi as a living legend of football history, stating that leading the team to another FIFA World Cup final at the age of 39 is an incredible achievement.
Speaking at a press conference in New Jersey, USA, ahead of Sunday's FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Spain, Scaloni openly praised Messi's contribution and emphasized that his achievements must be properly appreciated.
"Leading the team to the World Cup final even at the age of 39 is an incredible achievement by Messi. What he is doing must be valued. He is a living legend of football. This team has given us unforgettable years," Scaloni said.
Highlighting that Messi's leadership is inspiring for Argentina, who are chasing their second consecutive World Cup title, Scaloni stated that the team must deliver their best performance to win the final.
He mentioned that Argentina has prepared by thoroughly studying Spain, just as they do for every match, and noted that the team reached the final based on their own capabilities. "We prepare for every game. We have analyzed the opponent and we must play our best game to win. Everyone knows our team, so reaching the final is an even bigger achievement," he said.
According to Scaloni, all players in the squad are fit ahead of the final, and the final training session will be crucial. He expressed confidence that the final will be highly competitive, as both Argentina and Spain are teams that play a possession-based style of football.
Meanwhile, Argentina's goalkeeper, Emiliano Martínez, stated that his entire focus is centered on winning the World Cup title. He mentioned that he has enjoyed this edition of the World Cup more than the previous one and expressed his gratitude to his family, teammates, and Argentine supporters.
"My focus is solely on winning the World Cup. Sometimes I get emotional thinking about the achievements we have made with this team. On Sunday, I will step onto the pitch with a smile," Martínez said.
Argentina will compete against Spain on Sunday for the FIFA World Cup 2026 title. While Argentina aims to win their second consecutive World Cup, Spain will be on a campaign to lift the World Cup trophy for the first time since 2010. (ANI)
