Messi’s final World Cup test: Argentina face Spain in MetLife Stadium finale

Lionel Messi is set to play what is widely considered his final World Cup match on Sunday when Argentina face Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey. The fixture marks a significant full-circle moment for the Argentina captain, occurring exactly ten years after he retired from international football following a Copa America final defeat at the same venue. Messi, aged 39, leads Argentina into the match seeking a second consecutive World Cup title, a feat that would make them the first team to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in the 1970s.

Spain, reaching the final for the first time in four tournaments, defeated France 2-0 in the semi-final at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The European champions, who held a press conference on 18 July expressing intent to "overwhelm the strong opponent," will face an Argentina side described by head coach Lionel Scaloni as having brought "true chaos" to the knockout stages. Scaloni urged his team to enjoy Messi’s presence, comparing his current status to the legacy of Diego Maradona and describing his ability to reach a final at 39 as "unbelievable."

The narrative surrounding the match is heavily influenced by events from a decade ago. Ten years prior, Messi retired from the national team after a 0-0 draw against Chile in the Copa America final at MetLife Stadium, a match decided by a penalty shootout where Messi missed. At the time, he stated he was "done playing with the national team," citing the weight of a soccer-obsessed nation and four final defeats. He returned to the lineup swiftly, but the memory of that loss remains a defining chapter in his international career.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente highlighted Messi’s enduring legacy with an anecdote about a past Copa del Rey match where Messi scored four goals after his marker was sent off. England defender Dan Burn also commented on Messi’s impact, noting that despite being kept quiet for most of the semi-final against England, Messi provided two assists in the 85th minute to secure a 2-1 victory. Burn remarked that the performance showed the quality of a player who can "pop up" even when neutralised for the majority of a game.

Messi is currently tied with Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race with eight goals each, despite missing several penalties during the tournament. His total World Cup goal tally has risen to 21, up from six prior to the 2022 tournament. While certain refereeing decisions and late goals have characterised Argentina’s path, Scaloni emphasised the difficulty of achieving such milestones. "Together with this group of people who've brought us these wonderful years, we will always remember that Argentina's footballers might make it," Scaloni said, adding that the journey itself was an example for everyone.