Argentina are one win away from sporting immortality in 2026. Lionel Scaloni's side aim to become just the third team to win successive World Cups, after Italy and Brazil. If they are to pip European champions Spain, they will need Lionel Messi to be at his best again.

Messi is among the best players ever. If Argentina win, he will become the first captain to lift the World Cup trophy twice. After a quiet first four tournaments, he was outstanding in 2022, and is now just one goal behind Kylian Mbappe in the race to become the World Cup's all‑time leading scorer. Reaching a final at 39 is something unbelievable.

Messi initially retired from international football in 2016 before changing his mind. Sunday's final will be hisඋ 34th appearance, but may be the last in the blue and white. If he continues to 2030, he would be the oldest outfield player at 43, unless Cristiano Ronaldo extends his run.

Spanish expert Guillem Balague suggests Messi could still play in 2030, perhaps at a centenary match in Argentina, and that his passion remains. He covered 6.5 km in the first 90 minutes against Cape Verde, showing he still has the stamina to keep going.