Messi’s 20-year World Cup dream: Argentina star finally gets Spain final he once imagined

Lionel Messi will step into the 2026 World Cup final against Spain on Sunday living out a dream he voiced as an 18-year-old – to play a World Cup decider between Argentina and the country where he made his name.

Two decades after the shy teenager spoke almost in passing about the prospect of facing Spain in a World Cup final, the now 39-year-old captain returns as a global icon, a world champion and one of football’s greatest-ever players.

Argentina will meet Spain at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, with Messi chasing a second successive world title after lifting the 2022 trophy in Qatar. The holders reached the final by knocking out England in the semi-finals, while Spain progressed at the expense of France.

A teenage wish that seemed ‘almost fantasy’

On 8 December 2005, a young Messi was interviewed by the Spanish news agency EFE, just months before the 2006 World Cup in Germany. Then still trying to secure a regular place with the national team, he outlined his ambitions with Barcelona and Argentina.

He said he dreamed of winning La Liga and the Champions League with Barcelona, and then ending the season by becoming world champion with Argentina. He then added a final flourish that sounded wildly ambitious at the time: “سيكون رايعا ان تجمع المباراة النهايية بين الارجنتين واسبانيا” – “It would be wonderful for the final to be between Argentina and Spain.”

Messi did not stop there, explaining why that scenario appealed to him so much.

“سيكون جميلا ان اخوض النهايي مع منتخب بلادي امام البلد الذي العب فيه,” he said.
“It would be nice to play the final with my national team against the country where I play.”

Smiling, he added another personal twist: “مواجهة كارليس بويول ومحاولة التفوق عليه في مواجهة فردية ستكون جميلة، وبالتاكيد سنتحدث عن ذلك لاحقا داخل غرفة ملابس برشلونة”.
“Facing Carles Puyol and trying to get the better of him in a one-on-one would be nice, and surely we would talk about that later in the Barcelona dressing room.”

The dream did not materialise in Germany, nor at the following World Cups in South Africa, Brazil, Russia or Qatar. Messi did face Spain three times afterwards – in friendlies in 2006, 2009 and 2010 – and missed a 2018 meeting through injury. But a competitive World Cup showdown never came.

Now, 20 years on, fate has provided the final he once imagined, not in Europe but in the United States.

From prodigy to the man who shaped Barcelona’s identity

Since that 2005 interview, Messi has won every major honour at club level with Barcelona and captured the Copa America and World Cup with Argentina. He lost the 2014 World Cup final to Germany, but victory in Qatar in 2022 completed his international trophy collection.

In 2005 he spoke as a youngster picturing a duel with Puyol; today he describes a Spain side built around players from a Barcelona whose modern identity he himself helped create.

After Argentina’s semi-final win over England at this tournament, Spain inevitably came up again in his comments – this time through the eyes of a seasoned captain who knows his opponent intimately.

“اسبانيا منتخب رايع، ولديه اسلوب لعب اعرفه جيدا. انهم يمتلكون فلسفة كرة قدم يتبعونها منذ سنوات طويلة.”
“Spain are a fantastic team, and they have a style of play that I know very well. They have a footballing philosophy they have followed for many years.”

He continued: “اعرف العديد من اللاعبين، والكثير منهم يلعبون لبرشلونة، الفريق الذي احبه واتابعه باستمرار، ولذلك اتوقع مباراة متوازنة للغاية”.
“I know many of their players, and many of them play for Barcelona, the team I love and follow constantly, and so I expect a very balanced match.”

Maradona’s heir now plays for his legacy

Messi’s long journey to this point has also been intertwined with the legacy of Diego Armando Maradona.

In a 2006 interview, he spoke openly of his delight at Maradona’s public backing, after the Argentina great had called him the heir to the famous No 10 shirt.

“يسعدني دايما سماع كلمات جميلة عني، خاصة عندما تاتي من اعظم لاعب في التاريخ,” Messi said at the time.
“I am always happy to hear nice words about me, especially when they come from the greatest player in history.”

He added: “ان يقول مارادونا انه يتمنى ان اورث القميص رقم 10 امر لا يصدق بالنسبة لي، لكنني ساكون سعيدا باي رقم، المهم ان اكون ضمن المنتخب”.
“That Maradona says he hopes I inherit the No 10 shirt is unbelievable for me, but I would be happy with any number – the important thing is to be in the national team.”

Two decades on, the roles have been reversed. Messi is no longer the youngster receiving encouragement from Diego; he is the standard-bearer of Maradona’s legacy, invoking his memory on the biggest stages.

After securing Argentina’s place in the 2026 final, the captain dedicated the victory to the late legend.

“انا متاكد من ان دييجو يستمتع بهذه اللحظة من عليايه.. هذا الفوز من اجله؛ لطالما كان يوما مميزا للغاية,” he said.
“I am sure that Diego is enjoying this moment from on high… This win is for him; it has always been a very special day.”

“انا سعيد لانني استطعت ان امنحه هذه الفرحة، وامل من كل قلبي ان يستمتع بها.”
“I am happy that I was able to give him this joy, and I hope with all my heart that he enjoys it.”

He also reflected on their relationship: “كنا محظوظين لاننا عشنا في عصر دييجو. لم اكن ارغب في مفارقته، واعلم انه كان يحبني.. اعتز بكل اللحظات الجميلة التي جمعتنا”.
“We were lucky to have lived in Diego’s era. I didn’t want to part from him, and I know he loved me… I cherish all the beautiful moments we shared.”

On Sunday in New Jersey, as Argentina face Spain for football’s ultimate prize, Messi will be playing not just for another title, but for an 18-year-old’s dream and for the memory of the man whose shirt he was once tipped to inherit.