Lionel Scaloni made it clear that Argentina faces the 2026 World Cup final against Spain with the utmost respect. The Albiceleste coach assured that La Roja is a rival of enormous level and acknowledged that he is concerned about all of their virtues ahead of the duel for the title that will be played this Sunday at the MetLife Stadium in New York.
“It is a great team, a great selection that has been having a very good period with Luis de la Fuente. Everything about Spain worries me,” said Scaloni during the official press conference prior to the final.
The coach highlighted that both teams share a game idea based on ball control and expressed his desire for the match to be a spectacle for the fans.
“We try to become strong with the ball and in that we are similar. We hope that Sunday is a good show and that people enjoy a great football game,” he said.
Reunion with Luis de la Fuente
Scaloni also spoke about his relationship with Luis de la Fuente, who was one of his teachers during the Spanish Football Federation’s coaching course. Both met hours before at an event with fans in Manhattan, an unusual activity at a World Cup.
Although he avoided revealing details of the conversation, the Argentine acknowledged that it was a peculiar moment and highlighted the mutual respect between both coaches.
Messi, the great reference
The coach once again dedicated praise to Lionel Messi, who is playing in his last World Cup and reaches the final as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, tied with Kylian Mbappé.
Scaloni described the performance of the Argentine captain at 39 years old as extraordinary and asked to value everything he continues to contribute to football.
“Having reached another final at his age is something incredible. He is the history and legend. We have to enjoy it while he is still with us,” he expressed.
The coach also recalled that, after the victory over England in the semi-finals, Messi hugged him and said: “Pure history”, a gesture that he confessed to having received with great pride.
Without trusting Spain
Scaloni ruled out that the experience of having won the 2022 World Cup in Qatar represents an advantage for Argentina, considering that Spain also has footballers accustomed to playing decisive matches.
In addition, he warned that the recent successes of the Albiceleste have turned the team into a team highly studied by its rivals.
“We are a fairly well-known team. Everyone knows how we play and that makes it even more worthwhile to have gotten here,” he explained.
Despite this, he insisted that Argentina will prepare for the final like any other commitment and valued the team’s journey in recent years.
“Hopefully we can win, but if it doesn’t happen, the path this group has taken has been incredible and an example for everyone,” he concluded.
