Lionel Messi speaks in advance of World Cup final, says Argentina 'will give it our all' - TSN
Messi’s Final Preparation
Lionel Messi and the Argentina national team are set to face Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday. Messi, who has been a central figure in Argentina’s journey, expressed the team’s commitment, stating, “We will give it our all.” This highly anticipated match will take place in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
Ahead of the final, Messi made a public appearance at Fanatics Fest in New York, an event that brought together various sports legends. Among those present were Tom Brady, Novak Djokovic, and Kevin Durant, all of whom engaged with Messi. The event served as a unique backdrop for the pre-final news conferences, allowing hundreds of attendees a rare glimpse of the football star.
Spain captain Rodri acknowledged Messi’s significance, describing him as “the greatest of all times” for both his individual skill and his impact on Argentina. The format of the news conference deviated from tradition, with sports figures like Brady and Djokovic posing questions to Messi and the coaches.
Road to the Final
Argentina, the defending champions, have navigated a challenging path to reach the final. The team remains undefeated and untied in the tournament, holding a 7-0-0 record. Their journey included overcoming a 1-0 deficit against England in the semifinals and a 2-0 deficit against Egypt in the Round of 16. They also went into extra time against Cape Verde in the round of 32 and Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
Messi emphasized the team’s resilience, stating, “We never stop fighting.” Argentina’s success in the knockout stages has often involved late goals, including scoring in the 85th minute and stoppage time to secure a victory against England. The team’s goalkeeper, Emiliano Martinez, highlighted the collective effort, saying, “We’re going to give absolutely our best, with Leo, with the team that we have, to bring the World Cup back to my country and celebrate with our people.”
Spain also enters the final without a loss, holding a 6-0-1 record. Their tournament began with a 0-0 draw against Cape Verde. Following this, Spain has demonstrated strong offensive and defensive play, scoring 13 goals and conceding only once. They secured a 2-0 victory over France in the semifinals.
Key Players and Match Details
The World Cup final is scheduled for Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at MetLife Stadium. The match will feature a halftime show curated by Coldplay‘s Chris Martin, with performances by artists including Madonna, Shakira, Burna Boy, BTS, and Justin Bieber. The closing ceremony, featuring Post Malone, will precede the kickoff at 1:30 p.m. ET.
Lionel Messi leads Argentina‘s scoring with eight goals and four assists in seven games. He aims to secure his second consecutive World Cup trophy. Other key players for Argentina include Lautaro Martínez, who scored the winning goal against England and a goal against Switzerland, and Enzo Fernández.
For Spain, Mikel Oyarzabal has been a standout performer, netting five goals and providing one assist in the tournament. He has accumulated 11 goals and four assists over 13 games across qualifiers and the tournament. Winger Lamine Yamal, despite a quiet tournament, is recognized for his potential to impact the game, having been a key player in Spain‘s 2024 UEFA European Championship win.
Messi currently leads the race for the Golden Boot award, with eight goals and four assists. Other contenders include France‘s Kylian Mbappé with eight goals and three assists, and England‘s Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham, both with six goals and one assist. The final match will determine the winner of the World Cup trophy and potentially the Golden Boot.
Source: tsn.ca
