Argentina forward Lionel Messi says he is familiar with Spain’s playing style as the two sides head into the 2026 FIFA World Cup final slated for Sunday in New York.
The defending champions came from a 1-0 defeat to beat England 2-1. Anthony Gordon put the Three Lions in the lead on the 55-minute mark before a late charge from Argentina. Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez’s goals in the 85th and additional stoppage time ensured Argentina reached their second consecutive final.
Messi will contest the third World Cup final of his career, having been present when Argentina were runners-up to Germany in 2014 before defeating France in 2022.
In a post-match interview, Messi described Spain as a tremendous side.
He added that he knows the Spanish squad very well, as the majority of the players come from Barcelona.
“They’re a tremendous team, with outstanding players. They play excellent football,” he said of Spain.
“I know the Spanish side well, and they have a style of play they’ve developed over many years. I know the players too. I’ve played against many of them, and I follow them closely. Several of the squad play for Barca, a club that means a great deal to me and that I still keep up with. It will be a special World Cup final, and obviously, I expect it to be very closely matched.”
