Lionel Messi has reached his third World Cup final in a record sixth tournament appearance, posting the same social media message he shared before Argentina's 2022 triumph in Qatar as the squad prepares to face Spain for the 2026 title.
The 39-year-old republished the rallying message declaring "A LA FINAL!!!!!" after the semi-final victory over England. Messi has been involved in 12 of Argentina's 19 goals at this tournament and sits on 21 career World Cup goals, one behind Kylian Mbappé's tally of 22.
Argentina trained at MetLife Stadium in heavy rain, with coach Lionel Scaloni handing bibs to the previous match's starters and naming Rodrigo de Paul and Gonzalo Montiel as possible additions. A storm forced Spain to swap their session for a gym activation, while Argentina began nearly 45 minutes late. The squad observed its traditional pre-match barbecue, a superstition dating to Qatar. Spain reach a World Cup final for the first time in 16 years, having last contested one in 2010.