Lionel Messi Hypes Argentina as 'Best Team' Ahead of 2026 FIFA World Cup Final vs. Spain

Lionel Messi believes Argentina are the best team in international football ahead of a World Cup final matchup against Spain on Sunday.

"This wasn't just another victory, it was one the Argentine people desperately wanted," he told reporters following Wednesday's 2-1 win over England. "It's crazy what this group has achieved: Five finals. We're coming off winning the [2022] World Cup and we've been the best team over the last four years. Now today, we are one of the best two best teams in the world, and at another final... I've been preparing for this World Cup for almost a year. I spent December in Argentina, training every morning and afternoon. I knew I was going to give everything to arrive in the best possible shape."

It's been quite the run for Argentina.

The men's national team won the Copa Américas in both 2021 and 2024 and a World Cup title in 2022. And Messi has been a huge reason why, leading the charge to this year's World Cup final with eight goals and four assists. A goal in the final would make him the Golden Boot winner (he's currently tied with France's Kylian Mbappé).

Spain will obviously like their chances, of course.

This Spanish side is the defending European champions, has only lost once since claiming that title and has only given up a single goal in this year's World Cup. While Argentina have shown incredible resilience and heart, overcoming multiple second-half deficits to reach the final, Spain have completely dominated most opponents (including an absolutely loaded France squad in the semifinals).

The best team in Europe in the past few years against the best team in South America since 2021. It doesn't get much better than that to conclude an already fantastic World Cup.