EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Lionel Messi and defending champion Argentina will face Spain on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in a World Cup final pairing the tournament holder with international soccer's most consistent team.
Spain enters the match unbeaten in 37 consecutive games since early 2024. Luis de la Fuente's team has recorded 28 wins and nine draws during that run and is seeking its second World Cup title after winning in 2010.
Argentina is attempting to become the first men's team to retain the trophy since Pele and Brazil won consecutive titles in 1958 and 1962. The match may also be Messi's last World Cup appearance for Argentina after he indicated that this tournament would be his final run with the national team.
Messi's career has deep connections to Spain
Messi was born in Argentina but spent part of his youth and most of his club career in Spain. He was eligible to represent Spain, and the Spanish federation made repeated efforts to recruit him, but he remained committed to Argentina.
Sunday will mark Messi's first match against Spain since a 2010 friendly in which Argentina defeated the reigning world champion. The final also places him opposite Spain star Lamine Yamal, nearly two decades after the two were photographed together when Yamal was a baby.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has described Messi as the greatest player the sport has seen. That status followed a difficult period with the national team: after Argentina lost the 2016 Copa America final to Chile on penalties at MetLife Stadium, Messi briefly retired from international soccer at age 29.
He returned within weeks and later helped Argentina win the 2021 Copa America, the 2022 World Cup and another Copa America in 2024. His club career has included Barcelona, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Miami, but the final offers another opportunity to define his international legacy.
Spain brings a historic defensive record
Spain has conceded only one goal in seven matches at this World Cup and has not trailed at any point in the tournament. Argentina, by comparison, has spent more than 100 minutes behind when stoppage time is included.
The defensive performance is approaching a record for a champion. Spain in 2010, Italy in 2006 and France in 1998 each won the World Cup after allowing two goals across the tournament. De la Fuente's current side can finish with an even lower total.
Spain captain Rodri has emphasized that the defensive plan cannot focus on Messi alone. Argentina's threat also comes from a complete team with elite players across the field, creating a contest between two sides built around collective play as well as individual talent.
The final will be the 104th match of the first 48-team World Cup, staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Around 80,000 spectators are expected inside MetLife Stadium, while the global television audience could reach approximately 2 billion.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez expects both teams' strengths to produce a memorable final. Spain can confirm its position as the game's dominant national side, while Argentina can complete a historic defense of its title and potentially give Messi a final international triumph.