The 2026 World Cup final on Sunday brings together a unique relationship, as Spanish coach Luis de la Fuente meets his former student Lionel Scaloni, coach of Argentina, in a match carrying rare human and professional dimensions at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford.

Nine years ago, Scaloni was just a former professional player trying to make his way in the coaching world. He studied for his professional license at the training center of the Spanish Football Federation in Las Rozas, on the outskirts of Madrid, and De la Fuente was the instructor overseeing that course.

Scaloni, 48, took over as coach of the Argentine national team in August 2018 initially on an interim basis, less than a year after receiving coaching lessons in De la Fuente's classroom. Since then, the former Deportivo La Coruña player has led Argentina to a golden era of achievements, ending a 28-year wait by winning the 2021 Copa América, then winning the 2022 World Cup, before adding the 2024 Copa América title.

In contrast, De la Fuente, 65, has overseen a new revival of Spanish football since taking over the national team in December 2022, following an early Round of 16 exit against Morocco at the Qatar World Cup. He won Euro 2024 as a result of that revival, then reached the UEFA Nations League final, and now arrives at the World Cup final after a brilliant performance against France in the semifinals.

The two men have spoken warmly about each other during their journey to the final. After the 2-1 win over England, Scaloni said: 'He was my mentor and taught me everything I know. Now we will face each other in the final. I remember that after the Qatar World Cup, we attended a coaches' conference and I talked with him for a long time. He has done a great job with his team, and I am very happy for him.'

Scaloni has close personal and professional ties to Spain, having spent most of his playing career there. His wife Elisa Montero is Spanish, and the couple lives with their two sons on the island of Mallorca. However, that does not diminish his loyalty on Sunday. He said clearly: 'Of course everyone knows that I live in Spain and have a Spanish family. I am very sorry, but I will try to defeat Mr. De la Fuente. He has my full respect, not only for his coaching style but also as a person.'

For his part, De la Fuente reciprocated those feelings, describing Scaloni as an ideal student. He said: 'I have great respect for Lionel. He has won everything with the Argentine national team. I agree with many of his ideas, and I admire him on both a professional and personal level. He was a very hardworking student, with a special mindset and great interest, and he had the qualities of someone determined to improve. It was an honor for me to be his coach, but above all I feel that because he is my friend.'