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WM 2026July 20, 2026

Moving Messi words and exasperated media representatives: That was it

The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will take place at the Metlife Stadium in New York. That was the countdown to kick-off. Also there: a moving Messi, lots of colorful fans - and tons of annoyed journalists...

Moving Messi words and exasperated media representatives: That was it

According to Newsfeed.

Background

Lionel Messi, the captain of the Argentine national team, has established himself as one of the best football players in the world in recent years. His experiences and expectations before the final could be decisive for the outcome of the game. Media coverage is likely to focus on his role and the importance of the game for Argentina.

Why this is important

The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is not only a sporting highlight, but also a cultural event that brings fans from all over the world together. Lionel Messi, as Argentina's captain, plays a central role in this spectacle and his words before the game are of great importance to many supporters. The emotions surrounding the final reflect the passion of football and show how important the World Cup is for the nations.

Key findings

  • Moving Messi words and exasperated media representatives: That was it.
  • The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will take place at the Metlife Stadium in New York.
  • Moving Messi words and exasperated media representatives: That was the countdown to the final.
The Metlife Stadium in New York hosted the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain on Sunday, December 18, 2022. But what happened in the hours and days before? What was the countdown to kick-off of the game? We take a look at what happened in front of the stadium, the fans, the journalists and the players. The first journalists arrived at the stadium on Saturday to collect the latest information and impressions. While the Spanish team had largely isolated themselves, Lionel Messi let the journalists get very close to him the day before the game. Messi gave an exclusive interview for the channel “TNT Sports” in the USA. The Argentine captain spoke about his expectations for the final, about his teammates and what this game means to him. However, the journalists' questions in this interview were not free; they were questions that the broadcaster had selected in advance. Still, it was a Messi exclusive, and the journalists were grateful for it. Very early on Sunday morning, at 6 a.m., Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentine national team, gathered the players for one last training session. This training did not take place at the stadium, but at a nearby training facility used by the Jets, the city's football team. The Argentina Football Association had ordered a bus to take the players there for this training. It is not known how many players took part in the training because this training was also closed. After training, the players went straight on the bus back to the team hotel, the Millenium Hilton in Manhattan. There was a final meeting with Lionel Scaloni, and then it was only a matter of time for the players to gather again on the bus to go to the stadium. At 2 p.m. the players gathered on the bus, all wearing suits, as befits a World Cup final. And then the journey started to the stadium. There was a short interruption, however, because the players had to be taken to a security check, or rather, the player buses had to be taken to a security check. However, the players didn't know anything about this check beforehand; they weren't told so that they wouldn't get upset. The inspection took place in Queens, a borough of New York, and there the players' buses were checked for weapons and explosives. Only when everything was found to be clean could the bus with the players continue to the stadium. When they arrived at the stadium, the players first went to the changing area. The support team was already waiting there and the players were told which positions they would take in the game. The players then had a short break and were able to grab snacks and drinks from the so-called “Snack Locker”. These are the compartments that are in the locker rooms and are always filled with snacks and drinks so that the players can help themselves.

What happens next

After the countdown to kick-off, the focus will turn to the game itself, with Argentina and Spain fighting for the title. The performance of Messi and his teammates will be crucial to realizing the World Cup dream. The reactions of fans and media will also be of interest, especially how they assess the dynamics of the game and the teams' performances.

Frequently asked questions

What happened before the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain?

Ahead of the World Cup final, the first journalists arrived at the stadium on Saturday, while Lionel Messi gave an exclusive interview the day before the game.

Who gave an interview before the final?

Lionel Messi gave an exclusive interview for the channel 'TNT Sports' in the USA.

Why was the interview with Messi special?

The interview was special because the questions were selected in advance and Messi still gave the journalists a close insight.

What happened on Sunday morning before the final?

On Sunday morning, Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentine national team, gathered the players for a final training session at a nearby training center.

What changes have there been to the Argentine's training routine? ian team?

The last training session did not take place in the stadium, but in a training center used by the Jets, the city's football team.

Related articles

Häufig gestellte Fragen

What happened before the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain?
Ahead of the World Cup final, the first journalists arrived at the stadium on Saturday, while Lionel Messi gave an exclusive interview the day before the game.
Who gave an interview before the final?
Lionel Messi gave an exclusive interview for the channel 'TNT Sports' in the USA.
Why was the interview with Messi special?
The interview was special because the questions were selected in advance and Messi still gave the journalists a close insight.
What happened on Sunday morning before the final?
On Sunday morning, Lionel Scaloni, the coach of the Argentine national team, gathered the players for a final training session at a nearby training center.
What changes have been made to the Argentine team's training routine?
The last training session took place not in the stadium, but in a training center used by the Jets, the city's football team.
Who confirmed this news?
See the source attribution in the article for where this report was first published or corroborated.
Why is this news relevant right now?
The timing matters for how clubs, players, and fans prepare for the next competitive phase in the season or transfer window.