East Rutherford, USA – Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentine national team, acknowledged the difficulty of the task awaiting his team against Spain in the 2026 World Cup final. He emphasized that the opponent is performing at its best in the tournament and deserves respect.
Speaking at the pre-final press conference, Scaloni said that facing Spain would be a huge challenge. He added, “I’ll be worried just seeing the Spanish team bus. Everything is worrying when you face a great team that’s having such a great run under Luis de la Fuente”.
The Argentina coach explained that the two teams share many similarities in their playing styles, particularly in ball possession and attacking build-up. He also expressed his hope that both sides would deliver a match worthy of the global event.
Scaloni addressed the experience factor, noting that Argentina’s players are accustomed to playing in crucial matches. However, he emphasized that the Spanish team also includes players with experience in finals, saying, “Once the match starts and the ball is touched, the pressure disappears and the focus shifts to the performance”.
The coach also singled out team captain Lionel Messi for special praise, emphasizing that reaching the final at the age of 39 was an exceptional achievement. He added, “We hope to win the title, but even if we don’t, Messi will remain a role model for generations and a source of pride for Argentina”.
Argentina reached the final after defeating England 2-1 in the semi-finals, while Spain qualified after beating France 2-0. The two teams will face off on Sunday evening in the 2026 World Cup final.
