Before the 2026 World Cup final against Spain...

Scaloni: Saudi Arabia ended my superstitious beliefs, and finals experience does not give Argentina an advantage.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said that facing the Saudi national team in the 2022 World Cup ended his superstitious beliefs.

Scaloni said: 'I have no superstitions or optimistic rituals. In the previous World Cup, we had one... we always wore the same shoe, then we lost to Saudi Arabia, so I had to get rid of it, and I don't know how many matches without defeat.'

It is noted that the Argentine national team won against the Saudi national team on November 22, 2022, with a score of 2-1.

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni confirmed that the Spanish national team possesses technical and tactical capabilities that cause concern ahead of the match between the two teams, the day after tomorrow (Sunday), in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

During the official press conference today, Scaloni said: 'Spain is a great team and is showing outstanding levels under the leadership of Luis de la Fuente, and everything about it worries me,' noting that the two teams are similar in their reliance on possession and building play with the ball, expressing his hope that they will put on a match worthy of a final.

Scaloni praised Argentina captain Lionel Messi, stressing that reaching the final at the age of 39 represents an exceptional achievement, as Messi shares the top scorer of the tournament with eight goals alongside French striker Kylian Mbappe.

The Argentine coach indicated that his team is preparing for the match in the same way they prepare for any meeting, focusing on the technical aspects and keeping players away from pressure, ruling out that Argentina's experience in the 2022 World Cup final gives them an advantage over Spain, pointing out that the players of both teams are accustomed to playing major encounters.

Scaloni touched on the fact that the Argentine national team's successes in recent years have made its playing style known to opponents, stressing that reaching the final again gives greater value to what they have achieved.