Lionel Messi Vows to Give His All in World Cup Final Against Spain

Doha, Qatar Jul 18, 2026 ALN: New York: The lineup of sports legends simultaneously on the stage at Fanatics Fest on Friday night was almost absurd. There was Tom Brady, the greatest Super Bowl champion of all time. There was Novak Djokovic, the winner of more men's Grand Slam tennis tournaments than anyone else. There was Kevin Durant, the only four-time Olympic gold medalist in men's basketball history.

And before they left, they all got a selfie with Lionel Messi.

Let that be the latest proof of Messi's power: Even the biggest stars in the sports universe clearly enjoy a chance to be around the best football player of all time. They'll all be watching Sunday - along with probably 1.5 billion other people worldwide - when Messi and Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final.

"We will give it our all," Messi said, expressing his determination and commitment ahead of the highly anticipated match.

The star-studded news conference was expected to be Messi's last public appearance before Sunday's final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. FIFA decided to use Fanatics Fest - a four-day celebration of sports in New York, replete with autograph signings and celebrity appearances - as the backdrop for its preview news conferences, meaning hundreds of people got the chance to get a glimpse of Messi in the sort of setting not usually open to the public.

"It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player and what he means for Argentina," Spain captain Rodri said. "Obviously, for me, he's the greatest of all times." This statement reflects not only Messi's impact on the game of football but also his significance as a cultural icon, particularly in Argentina, where he is often viewed as a national hero.

The idea for the appearance by Messi and the other players and coaches from Argentina and Spain was simple: Instead of having traditional media asking questions, the stars got to do the asking. This unique format allowed for a more relaxed atmosphere, promoting camaraderie among the athletes.

Brady probed Messi about a remarkable photo that has gone viral this week of him bathing a cute baby boy who grew up to be Spain star Lamine Yamal - "What a crazy picture," Messi said, illustrating the light-hearted nature of the event. Djokovic asked Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni about dealing with pressure, then posed a version of that same question to Messi, emphasizing the mental fortitude required at the highest levels of sport.

And when Messi finished, Djokovic simply said, "Gracias, Leo." Djokovic then asked Spain coach Luis de la Fuente and captain Rodri about staying calm in big moments, before Brady asked Messi about the infamous photo with Yamal, and Rodri about what he'll say to teammates before Sunday's final. Durant then came out, asking Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez about what it would mean to win back-to-back World Cups, highlighting the historical significance of such an achievement.

The Argentina and Spain sides, to their credit, seemed to enjoy the show. The World Cup final is a spectacle, and so was the preview event, showcasing the intersection of sports and entertainment.

"It's one more game," Scaloni said. "We cannot really think about the fact that it's a World Cup final." This statement reflects a common mindset among athletes, where focusing on the process rather than the enormity of the occasion can help alleviate pressure.

It was not the easiest of roads for Argentina to get back to the final, even though the defending champions (7-0-0) are the only unbeaten and untied team left in the tournament; Spain (6-0-1) drew its opening match against Cape Verde. Argentina had to rally from a 1-0 second-half deficit to beat England in the semifinals, had to rally from a 2-0 second-half deficit to beat Egypt in the Round of 16, and got taken to extra time by both Cape Verde (in the round of 32) and Switzerland (in the quarterfinals). These challenges demonstrate the resilience and fighting spirit of the Argentine team, which has become a hallmark of their play style.

"I've said many times: We never stop fighting," Messi said, encapsulating the team's determination and grit. With that, the defending champions got their ticket to New York. And when Messi walked onto that stage Friday, not many of those who were jammed inside the theater applauded - since they were holding their phones instead, hoping to capture images of the moment.

Messi knew what they wanted. He smiled and waved. They roared, a testament to his enduring popularity and the excitement surrounding his presence.

When the event wrapped up, everyone - the players, the coaches, actor and comedian Kevin Hart, rapper and producer Travis Scott, England great Rio Ferdinand, Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin and more - gathered for that selfie with the fans in the background. This moment highlighted the blend of sports and entertainment, as well as the global appeal of figures like Messi.

"Sunday is going to be a great show," Scaloni said, building anticipation for the final. It seemed like Messi may have taken a quick look at the case holding the trophy before he departed. Either way, it's not like he needs a reminder of what's at stake. No team has won back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and Messi now has a chance to add one more accomplishment to his already overstuffed resume. This potential achievement would not only solidify his legacy but also further enhance Argentina's storied football history.

"We've got a group of players and a group of coaches that are working incredibly hard every single day to try to bring happiness to my country," Martinez said. "We're going to give absolutely our best, with Leo, with the team that we have, to bring the World Cup back to my country and celebrate with our people." This statement underscores the collective effort and unity within the squad, reflecting the deep emotional connection between the players and their nation, especially in a tournament of such magnitude.

The upcoming World Cup final is not just a match; it is a culmination of years of hard work, dedication, and passion from the players, coaches, and fans alike. As the world tunes in to witness this historic event, the stakes could not be higher, and the legacy of Lionel Messi continues to grow, as he seeks to etch his name further into the annals of football history.