Fate sometimes has a way of winking at us. A little less than 19 years after that iconic photo of Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, where the current Argentina captain is giving a bath to the one now seen as his worthy heir at FC Barcelona, the two will face off in the World Cup final.
This will even be Messi’s third final in the competition, and he did absolutely everything to earn his place at the party, even though Anthony Gordon initially stood in his way - and in the way of millions of Argentinians dreaming since 2022 of a second consecutive title, carried by a team with a unique DNA.
21%: That was England’s possession after the new Barcelona signing scored, as the Argentinians, stung in their pride, decided to do everything they could to turn the match around once again in this World Cup. And Scaloni’s men could count on their compass: Lionel Messi. At 39, the Argentine star delivered another incredible performance, with historic stats: 9 dribbles and 2 assists in 90 minutes - a feat never achieved since Opta began analysing the competition (1966).
Proof of his omnipresence in every area of the game: he also won the most ground duels (12), created the most big chances (2), made the most key passes (4), and had the most touches in the opposition box (7)... Another masterclass from the man who, thanks to his two new assists, is the first player to be involved in 12 goals (8 goals, 4 assists) in a single World Cup edition since Gerd Muller with Germany in 1970 (13-10 goals, 3 assists).
Another record the Argentine can boast: he has been decisive in each of his last 11 World Cup matches (13 goals, 5 assists). Messi now has 12 World Cup assists, 10 of which have come in knockout rounds. No other player since 1966 has managed more than eight in the finals. Perhaps the most telling stat about his influence in this match is this: with 0.86 expected assists, he generated more xA than the entire England team combined.
"For the Malvinas, for Diego, and for Leo’s last one"
From the kickoff of this 2026 World Cup, Argentina knew they would put all their hopes in Lionel Messi, for whom this is the last World Cup after winning in 2022. The players sang it, Scaloni made it clear tactically, and it almost backfired for the Scaloneta, who, for a long time, relied on his genius to win matches, both in the group stage and in the knockouts.
Sometimes struggling in their play, flirting with danger, the Albiceleste always have in their ranks an all-risk insurance, a god to call upon when fate seems to darken and the prospect of going home also means the end of Lionel Messi in the sky blue and white shirt.
A sad ending that Messi and his teammates want nothing to do with, as they chant at every opportunity that they want to go back-to-back "for the Malvinas, for Diego, and for Leo’s last one," in a reworked version of "Muchachos."
United around a quiet leader who is undeniably Argentina’s best player (and maybe the best of this 2026 World Cup?), the Albiceleste have found in their number 10 their "guide," their "balance," and their "leader," as Lautaro Martinez listed after overturning Egypt in the round of 16.
Driven by this spirit, somewhere between camaraderie and the adoration one might have for a god, Argentina have gotten used to digging deep to find yet another chance to see their genius shine before the whole world. They have all promised to "give everything" for the man who, with every match, becomes more and more their saviour.
To give everything to offer him a second consecutive star - something no team has achieved since Brazil with Pelé and Garrincha in 1962 - for what should be the last match of his career in blue and white.
Lionel Messi’s 2026 World Cup is nothing like an exhibition tournament or a symbolic Last Dance to bask in the adoration of his fans one last time. It’s a reminder to those who thought he was finished when he chose Palm Beach and MLS that, even at 39, he can still be considered in the debate for the best player in the world.