Messi: It is crazy how things are unfolding

His name may not feature on the scoresheet but the assists for both Argentina’s goals came from the same man. Lionel Messi has made his mark in every match at the FIFA World Cup 2026. And the 2-1 semi-final victory over England was no different. Messi was one of the driving forces behind Argentina’s 40-minute onslaught, as they turned the game around with determination, grit and quality football.

The Argentina captain has also made his mark off the pitch, speaking with clarity and composure in every post-match interview. "It’s crazy how everything is unfolding. Honestly, before the World Cup began, I really believed in this group. I knew we would make the last four (teams) and that we would be in contention. And now we’ve reached another final. I think that’s five in a row. I’m not sure. It’s incredible."

On Sunday, Messi will contest the third World Cup final of his career, having been present when Argentina were runners-up to Germany in 2014 before defeating France in 2022. In New York New Jersey, he will go up against a side he knows very well. "They’re a tremendous team, with outstanding players. They play excellent football," he said of Spain.

"I know the Spanish side well and they have a style of play they’ve developed over many years. I know the players too. I’ve played against many of them and I follow them closely. Several of the squad play for Barca, a club that means a great deal to me and that I still keep up with. It will be a special World Cup final and obviously, I expect it to be very closely matched."

For Messi, however, reaching another final is no isolated achievement. It forms part of a years-long journey with a close-knit group in which he feels completely at home. "Everything I’ve experienced with this group since returning for the 2019 Copa America has been unbelievable, beyond anything I could have imagined.

"I’ve enjoyed every minute of it and not just the successes and the trophies we’ve won. Sharing everyday life with them and competing alongside them ... it has been a truly wonderful journey and we’ve also brought the fans so much joy. I’m very happy."

Reflecting on Argentina’s victory, Messi discussed how his side had responded after Anthony Gordon had put England ahead, with Enzo Fernandez’s long-range strike and Lautaro Martinez’s header completing the turnaround.

“I think we showed again (today) what we’ve been doing for years. This team plays free-flowing, high-quality football. We’re patient and we know how to read the key moments in a game. I think we dictated the game from the start. Although we didn’t create any clear chances before half-time, we were in control and saw a lot of the ball. And after they scored, we were even better."

For Messi, the key was – and remains – patience. Argentina kept the ball moving, waited for openings and attacked both through the middle and down the flanks. Quite simply, they refused to give up, despite hitting the woodwork, seeing clear chances go begging and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford making a string of saves. "I think that once again shows how strong we are as a group. We’re mentally tough and play some good football. All of those things helped us win today," he added.

Messi is on his way to another World Cup final and, in his own words, he could not be happier.

Spain, meanwhile, are one victory away from being crowned world champions again as the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches its conclusion. With their 2-0 semi-final victory over France, the Spaniards have secured a spot in the final for a second time – a reflection of Luis de la Fuente’s successful tenure.

Since taking charge in December 2022, the wily tactician has been collecting titles, winning the Nations League in 2023 and the UEFA EURO 2024. The team reached another Nations League final in 2025 and now they have the opportunity to once again add the FIFA World Cup to their list of accolades. His success at the helm has been shaped by years of experience developing players within Spain’s youth set-up and his own brand of leadership, as Manolo Jimenez, Tito Blanco, Santi Denia and Fernando Hierro told FIFA.

Jimenez first crossed paths with De la Fuente as a player and later at Sevilla FC’s youth academy. “Luis and I were teammates for several years and later we were colleagues at Sevilla’s youth academy. I have to say, above all else, he’s a good person and a great colleague,” the former left-back told FIFA.

Jimenez also highlighted De la Fuente’s ambition and dedication. “Even back then, he always wanted to help younger players and keep growing in the game himself. He worked incredibly hard and never gave up; he’s earned everything he has achieved. To see him today, at the very top of Spanish football, is fantastic. For me, it’s wonderful to see a good person, a good colleague, a good footballer and a good coach achieving that kind of success.”

Blanco first met the Spain coach when he was serving as Vice-President of the Spanish Football Association. “It was in 2011 or 2012. He came to see me in Madrid and asked for work. I didn’t know him personally but we’d played a couple of times against each other. He’s quite a bit older than me. He struck me as very authentic, and he is.”

Years later, they worked together at the Spanish Football Association. “I discovered that he is an extraordinary person, someone with great character. At the time, he’d already spent more than 10 years working for the Spanish FA. When he was promoted to coach of the senior national team, we knew we were making the right decision and taking no unnecessary risks. I don’t think there was a better candidate for the job.”

Denia worked alongside De la Fuente for 14 years. “Working together gave us an incredible opportunity to learn and get to know the generation of players coming up through the ranks. By the time he reached the senior national team, he knew the players well, and he had a good feel for the team dynamics and what would work. It’s totally different from club football. We’ve made mistakes in the past, but that has meant we’ve learnt a lot.”

According to Denia, De la Fuente’s greatest strength is his ability to manage people. “Luis is a master of managing a team: he understands how players tick, he knows how to guide them and he senses who should start each match. He adds his own twist to an established model, taking into account the players’ profiles. That has delivered results for the association in recent years and helped us win titles. We believe in that model and Luis believes in it more than anyone.”

That ability to manage a team applies not just to the players, it extends to the entire operation. “We’re not just talking about the players but a team of 50 to 70 people. That’s not easy and he’s truly mastered the skill of managing people.”

Hierro also worked with him at the Spanish Football Association. “Luis is calm and he understands how the national-team environment works. He knows the players and their qualities and he has an exceptional understanding of the talent pool in Spanish football.” Hierro believes that De la Fuente’s management style has helped create a harmonious and united national team.

“They’re like a close-knit family; they enjoy spending time together and genuinely have fun. That creates an exceptional atmosphere. In a World Cup, where people spend so much time living and working together, that becomes incredibly important. I think that says a lot about the work Luis did before the tournament even began.”

These four testimonies paint a consistent picture of De la Fuente: a coach whose patience, hard work and unwavering commitment to his principles have been the foundations for his success in leading the Spanish national team to the World Cup final. For some, he is the tireless trooper, for others he is the coach whose understanding of the national-team environment was second to none but what is clear is that his trophy haul has only reinforced what everyone already knew.