Lionel Scaloni has lavished extraordinary praise on Lionel Messi, calling him the greatest player in football history as Argentina prepares to face Spain in Sunday's World Cup final at MetLife Stadium. The Argentina manager made an emotional tribute to his 39-year-old captain following the Albiceleste's 2-1 victory over England in the semi-final, urging supporters to savour every moment with the Inter Miami star while they still can.
Scaloni reflected on Messi's extraordinary longevity and consistency, emphasising that his performances at such an advanced age remain almost incomprehensible. The Argentina boss drew a poignant parallel to Diego Maradona, warning fans not to take the iconic forward's presence for granted. "He has made history. He is a legend," Scaloni told reporters. "It fills me with pride because he is the best player in the history of football. To have been able to get to a final in the way that he has in this moment, at the age of 39, I think it is incredible."
A Generation of Champions
Messi's journey to this final represents a remarkable chapter in his storied career. Since ending Argentina's 28-year trophy drought by lifting the 2021 Copa America, he has delivered back-to-back continental titles and guided the reigning world champions back to football's grandest stage. The forward's achievements at 39 defy conventional wisdom about athletic decline, cementing his legacy as a transformational figure in global sport.
Scaloni also commended the broader squad for building one of Argentina's most successful generations. "They have done things that a few years ago were unthinkable," he stated. "It was not easy to get here and to compete at this level over so many years." The manager acknowledged that Sunday's clash presents a historic opportunity: Argentina can become the first nation in over 60 years to successfully defend the World Cup title, with Messi primed to play a central role in that bid.
