Argentine national team captain Lionel Messi enters the 2026 World Cup final against Spain today (Sunday) with a clear goal of retaining the title, relying on an impressive record in finals and a set of rituals he has adhered to before major matches.

Balanced record in finals

Messi has played eight finals with the Argentine national team, winning four of them, after losing four consecutive finals, before leading his country to a series of achievements starting with the 2021 Copa America, then the 2022 World Cup, the 2022 Finalissima, and then retaining the Copa America title in 2024.

Details he does not change

According to Spanish newspaper 'AS', Messi is keen to maintain the same details that accompanied the crowning periods, as he avoids making any changes to his habits before major tournaments, believing in the importance of mental and psychological stability before decisive matches.

Repeating coronation messages

Among these habits, Messi reposted the same messages and posts he shared on his social media accounts before winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, in an attempt to evoke the atmosphere that accompanied that achievement.

The Argentine national team also preferred to stay in the same hotel that hosted them during the 2024 Copa America, maintaining the same room distribution and numbers, with each player staying in the same room he occupied during the tournament – details that the coaching staff and players were keen to repeat before the final.

Numbers that decide major appointments

Messi has an exceptional record in finals, having scored 35 goals and provided 17 assists in finals he played with clubs and the national team. He also won 23 titles out of 31 finals with Barcelona, reflecting his influential presence in the most important matches, and giving Argentina a moral boost before facing Spain for the World Cup title.