Javier Mascherano confirmed that Lionel Messi continues to make a difference for the Argentina national team, noting that the 'Albiceleste' captain keeps delivering exceptional performances ahead of the 2026 World Cup final against Spain.

Mascherano, in remarks reported by Reuters, explained that Messi is a rare kind of player, stressing that comparing him to any other player seems illogical because he possesses exceptional abilities that set him apart from everyone.

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He added that Messi impresses the fans every time he appears, producing moments that are hard to replicate, considering that finding a player with the same impact in the future will be extremely difficult, perhaps impossible. The former Argentine star also noted that Messi still controls the flow of matches, knowing when to impose his rhythm and lead his national team to victory, which makes him the most influential player on the pitch.

Regarding the anticipated clash against Spain, Mascherano believes that both teams are the best in the current edition of the World Cup, explaining that their styles are similar, as they rely on possession and imposing control, which makes the team that succeeds in keeping the ball for longer periods more likely to control the match.

He concluded his remarks by stressing the difficulty of predicting the champion, explaining that finals are not subject to calculations and that small details can decide the title.

Messi will play his third World Cup final this evening, the second in a row, after leading Argentina to the final for the sixth time in its history. He has contributed 8 goals and 4 assists in the current edition before facing Spain at MetLife Stadium, which kicks off at 10 p.m.