Football
Football
World Cup Final Pits Mentors Against Protégés, and a Prophetic Photo Comes to Life
The upcoming World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in New Jersey presents a fascinating narrative, intertwining a unique coaching reunion with a remarkable player connection that spans nearly two decades. While Argentina aims to defend its world title and Spain seeks to add a World Cup to its recent European Championship, both teams arrive with compelling storylines.
Argentina’s Lionel Scaloni will face his former instructor, Spain’s Luis de la Fuente, in the dugout. Scaloni, who secured his UEFA Pro Licence under de la Fuente’s tutelage in 2017, credits his mentor with providing “an enormous hand” to him and his classmates. Both coaches, who have never managed a top-flight club, have forged family-like team cultures, leading their national sides to the sport’s pinnacle after periods of relative obscurity. De la Fuente now seeks to become a simultaneous World Cup and European champion.
On the field, the legendary Lionel Messi of Argentina will encounter Spain’s Lamine Yamal, a player with whom he shares an extraordinary history. In 2007, a 20-year-old Messi was photographed holding five-month-old Yamal during a charity event at Barcelona. Now, 19-year-old Yamal, who has inherited Messi’s number 10 shirt at Barcelona and helped Spain win Euro 2024, is described by the 39-year-old Messi as “one of the best in the world.” Messi acknowledged the “crazy” nature of their shared photo and their impending World Cup final clash, wishing Yamal well but vowing to prevent him from becoming champion this time.
Meanwhile, the third-place playoff in Miami will see France take on England. France were defeated 2-0 by Spain in their semi-final, while England fell 2-1 to Argentina. This consolation match offers Kylian Mbappé of France a chance to potentially secure the Golden Boot, as his eight goals are currently tied with Messi. England’s coach, Thomas Tuchel, has faced scrutiny for his tactical approach in the semi-final, with critics questioning his team’s lack of possession against Argentina.
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