Lionel Messi says Argentina will give everything they have when they take on Spain
in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final, as the defending champions aim to retain the title. Maps “We will give it our all,” Messi said on Friday during what is expected to be his final public appearance before the title clash in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Messi spoke at Fanatics Fest in New York
, where he shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest sports stars, including NFL legend Tom Brady, tennis great Novak Djokovic and NBA star Kevin Durant. The event highlighted Messi’s global appeal, with the sports icons also taking a group selfie with the Argentine captain. FIFA held its pre-final media event at the four-day sports festival instead of a traditional news conference, allowing hundreds of fans to see the players and coaches up close. Spain
captain Rodri praised Messi, calling him the greatest footballer of all time. “It goes beyond words what Messi means as a player and what he means for Argentina
,” Rodri said. “For me, he’s the greatest of all time.” Instead of journalists asking questions, the discussion was led by sports stars. Brady asked Messi about a viral photo showing him bathing a baby who later grew up to become Spain
winger Lamine Yamal. “What a crazy picture,” Messi said. Djokovic asked Argentina
coach Lionel Scaloni and Messi how they deal with pressure in major tournaments, while Durant asked goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez what winning back-to-back World Cups would mean for Argentina
. Maps Scaloni kept the focus on the match itself. “It’s one more game,” he said. “We cannot really think about the fact that it’s a World Cup final.” Argentina
have reached the final with a perfect 7-0-0 record and remain the tournament’s only unbeaten team. Spain
are 6-0-1 after drawing their opening match against Cape Verde
. Argentina
‘s road to the final has not been easy. They came from behind to beat England
in the semifinals after trailing 1-0 in the second half. They also recovered from a 2-0 second-half deficit against Egypt
in the Round of 16, while both their Round of 32 match against Cape Verde
and quarterfinal against Switzerland
went to extra time. “I’ve said many times: We never stop fighting,” Messi said. Messi received a warm welcome from fans at the event, many of whom recorded his entrance on their phones before cheering loudly as he waved. At the end of the programme, players, coaches and celebrities, including actor Kevin Hart, rapper Travis Scott, former England
defender Rio Ferdinand and Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin, gathered for a group selfie. “Sunday is going to be a great show,” Scaloni said. Argentina
are aiming to become the first team since Brazil
in 1958 and 1962 to win consecutive World Cup titles. Maps Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez said the team is determined to make the country proud.”We’ve got a group of players and coaches working incredibly hard every day to bring happiness to our country,” Martinez
said. “We’re going to give absolutely our best, with Leo and this team, to bring the World Cup back to our country and celebrate with our people.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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