By Daily Sports Nigeria on July 18, 2026

Argentina head coach, Lionel Scaloni,  has described Lionel Messi as “pure history” and “a legend,” urging football fans to cherish the 39-year-old superstar as he prepares for what could be his final FIFA World Cup appearance.

Scaloni spoke on Friday at the FIFA Fanatics event in New York City, the first fan interaction involving both World Cup finalists ahead of the tournament’s showpiece, where he was joined by Messi and goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.

Asked about Messi’s legacy ahead of Sunday’s final, Scaloni paid glowing tribute to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.

He said, “He is pure history. A legend. Reaching a final at 39 years of age is unbelievable. We must enjoy him as it happens.

“With Diego Maradona, we miss him. But Messi is still with us. He is the history, he is the legend, and together with this group of people who have brought us these wonderful years, we’ll always remember him.”

PUNCH Online reports that Argentina will face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final as they seek to defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago.

Despite being built around an ageing core led by Messi, Argentina have defied expectations with a series of dramatic performances, culminating in a memorable semi-final victory over England.

According to The Guardian, Scaloni admitted Spain would pose Argentina’s toughest challenge yet, praising the European champions’ disciplined style of play.

“If Spain leaves the hotel, I am already concerned. Once they are on the bus and they leave the hotel, I am concerned. They are a great team. Everything concerns me about Spain,” Scaloni said.

The Argentine coach dismissed suggestions that his team’s experience of playing in the 2022 World Cup final would give them an advantage.

“They also have players who have played on globally big stages,” he said. “They played a Euro final and a Nations League final. They also have a great deal of experience. I don’t think being in a final again plays in our favour.”

Scaloni said Argentina’s players have succeeded by staying true to the values they learned growing up.

“The best thing we have is that we’ve grown up in rough places playing ball,” he said. “Playing soccer and not thinking about what other people say.

“The pressure stays to the side; it’s not worth worrying about. On Sunday, we need to do what we’ve done since the beginning, just play ball and don’t even think about what could happen.”

Also speaking, Messi echoed his coach’s sentiments, saying his childhood experiences shaped his mentality.

“We grew up playing football with a lot of passion and with a lot of desire, all the time, wherever—in school, in the street, with little teams in our neighbourhoods.

“We never thought of pressure. It always felt natural, the act of playing, of competing. This is a team sport; the rival always plays as well, and you can’t always win. But since we were little, I learned that you lose more than you win. That made me grow a lot as a person and player,” Messi said.

Source Punch Ng

Posted July 18, 2026

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