Nearly 2 Billion Fans to Watch Final Match
Messi's Message: This team has made history
Lionel Messi. Reuters Photo.
Just a few hours remain until the World Cup final. At MetLife Stadium in New Jersey tonight, Argentina is set to face Spain. The night before this title-deciding match, the entire Argentine contingent—from players to the coaching staff, doctors, cooks, and even directors—posed together for a photograph. Captain Lionel Messi posted that picture on social media with an emotional message.
At the center of the photo was Lionel Messi, with coach Lionel Scaloni right beside him. The entire delegation, led by Argentine Football Association President Claudio Tapia, witnessed this historic moment. Sharing the image, Messi wrote on Instagram, "Not just winning the title, but this entire journey has been the best thing in my career. The time I share with this team every day, fighting together, rising up in difficult moments, and enjoying every step—this is my reward."
Messi himself posted this photograph on a social media.
Expressing gratitude to his teammates and staff, the Argentine captain further wrote, "Thank you to all my teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who works every day to keep this team together as a family. Whatever happens tomorrow, this team has written a history that no one can ever erase. Let's go, Argentina!"
Following their brilliant victory against England in the semifinal, there are indications of slight changes in the Argentina starting XI. The coach is undecided on whether to start Nahuel Molina or Gonzalo Montiel at right-back. Additionally, whether Scaloni will place his trust in Rodrigo De Paul or Giuliano Simeone in the midfield battle is something the football world is eagerly awaiting.
Argentina's probable starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina or Gonzalo Montiel, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul or Giuliano Simeone, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez.
The match is projected to be watched by approximately 1.5 to 2 billion people worldwide, projected by an AI.
