“Whatever happens tomorrow, this group has already written a story that we will never forget and that no one can erase,” Messi said before the final on Sunday, July 19
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/Lionel-Messi-FIFA-World-Cup-2026-Final-Press-Conferences-071926-cba78c10076244b5ad8ac2447db0a0c2.jpg "Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina looks on during a press conference ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Final at Fanatics Fest at Javits Center on July 17, 2026 in New York, New York.")
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NEED TO KNOW
- Lionel Messi reflected on Argentina’s 2026 World Cup run in a post on social media on the eve of the final match against Spain on Sunday, July 19
- Messi said, “The nicest thing about all these years was never just the titles, but all the way. Share the day to day with this group, compete together, get up in the difficult moments and enjoy every step”
- The soccer star thanked his teammates and Argentina’s staff “who work every day to keep this National Team a family”
Lionel Messi reflected on Argentina’s thrilling World Cup journey ahead of their final match against Spain.
Messi, 39, shared a photograph of himself and his Argentina teammates on Saturday, July 18, one day before they face Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Final at New York New Jersey Stadium.
“The nicest thing about all these years was never just the titles, but all the way,” the soccer star began on Instagram. “Share the day to day with this group, compete together, get up in the difficult moments and enjoy every step.”
Messi continued, “Thanks to each of my teammates, the technical staff and all the people who work every day to keep this National Team a family. Whatever happens tomorrow, this group has already written a story that we will never forget and that no one can erase.”
Credit: Leo Messi/Instagram
He added, “COME ON ARGENTINA ❤️🇦🇷.”
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Messi’s wife, Antonella Roccuzzo, commented, “🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭,” on his post.
Argentina advanced to the final after an exciting win over England on Wednesday, July 15. England was up one goal and goalie Jordan Pickford wasn’t letting Argentina score, but in the 86th minute, Argentina’s Enzo Fernández sailed the ball above Pickford’s outstretched hand to tie the game.
Argentina then sealed the win after they scored again two minutes into stoppage time, thanks to a huge pass from Messi that Lautaro Martinez headed in for the 2-1 lead.
Messi took to Instagram to celebrate, writing, “We’re in the Final!!! We dug deep once again to put in another great performance. A huge thank you to everyone who believed in this group!! Let’s go Argentina!!”