Lionel Scaloni Sends Emotional Lionel Messi Message Ahead Of Argentina Vs Spain World Cup Final

Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni insists his side will approach Sunday's FIFA World Cup final against Spain with calm heads rather than overwhelming emotion, despite the opportunity to defend the trophy they lifted four years ago.

Speaking ahead of the showpiece at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, Scaloni revealed that Argentina's greatest source of motivation is not the pressure of history but the passion of the millions supporting them back home.

"You see your people, how they celebrate, how they are happy, that gets you," Scaloni said in his pre-match press conference. "It's impossible for it not to touch your heart."

The Argentina manager believes the national team has become a symbol of unity across the country, with football putting club rivalries aside.

"In the end, we play for them. The team plays for the country, for their family," he explained. "We've regained something really valuable. You see Boca and River fans hugging each other in front of the television and Newell's fans celebrating with Rosario Central supporters. How could that leave you unaffected?

He added: "We connected with the people, and they connected with us. That emotion makes us even more human."

Although Argentina are one game away from retaining the World Cup, Scaloni is determined not to let the occasion overwhelm his players.

"We prepared just like we do for every game—with a lot of enthusiasm, really wanting to do well and fully focused on analysing the opponent," he said.

"Even though it's a final, it's still a football game. We need our best version to try to win. We don't put into our heads that it's a World Cup final because otherwise the pressure can get to you."

Scaloni acknowledged Spain will provide one of Argentina's toughest tests yet after Luis de la Fuente's side reached the final with an impressive run.

"The team is doing well, but we're up against a tough opponent," he said. "People know how we play, so it's a double achievement to have reached this point."

Argentina had one day fewer to recover than Spain following their semi-final victory over England, but Scaloni dismissed concerns over the condensed schedule.

"We haven't had much time to train because we got in at 11 last night," he admitted. "Tomorrow will be an important session to check how everyone is doing, but in principle they are all good."

The manager also confirmed competition remains open at right-back between Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel, with a final decision to be made after assessing his squad.

Scaloni expects a fascinating tactical battle against Spain, describing both teams as comfortable in possession while acknowledging the similarities between their styles.

"We know how each other's teams play," he said. "Both teams try to be strong with the ball. We have similar patterns, although each attacks differently."

"We analysed Spain, yeah, because we could have played them in March, but we've also been studying possible World Cup opponents since December. Overall, we didn't analyse Spain more than any other rival. When you look at the path to the World Cup, besides Spain being an opponent in March for the final, we had studied the whole route to get this point, and there were a lot of teams we were analysing.

Yeah, so it’s not like we analysed it more than anything else. That’s what I want to get to in the end. And overanalysing isn’t good either. We all already know how everyone plays; we all know their strengths. We’ll try to keep them from doing their thing, and we’ll focus on playing our football and exploiting the areas where we see they are vulnerable."

"I hope Sunday will be a good show and, above all, that people enjoy it and it's a great football match."

Despite Argentina having previous World Cup final experience, Scaloni does not believe it will provide a decisive advantage.

"I don't think experience in a final is crucial," he explained. "Once the ball starts rolling, the players forget about all that. Spain have also played in a European Championship final and a Nations League final. They're experienced too."

As speculation continues over whether Sunday's final could be Lionel Messi's last World Cup appearance, Scaloni preferred to celebrate what his captain has already achieved.

"He's pure history. History, legend," Scaloni said.

"To have reached another final at 39 years old is something incredible. We have to enjoy him because, just like Diego Maradona, one day we'll miss him."

He continued: "He has managed something that years ago seemed impossible. It wasn't easy to compete at this level for so many years."

Scaloni also refused to speculate about Messi's international future.

"I don't know," he said with a smile. "You'll have to ask him. He never stops surprising us."

The Argentina boss also spoke warmly about Spain coach Luis de la Fuente, revealing the two shared an emotional embrace before Friday's media duties.

"It's a great team," Scaloni said. "What they've been doing with Luis has been really good and honestly it makes me happy."

When asked what concerns him most about Spain, his answer was simple.

"Everything."

While he declined to reveal the details of their private conversation, Scaloni admitted he has enormous respect for his opposite number.

"I told Luis, 'I'm here for you,' and a few other things that I'd rather keep between us."

For Scaloni, however, all the admiration will be put aside once the whistle blows.

Argentina arrive as defending champions, Spain as European champions, with the World Cup set to be decided by two of international football's most complete teams. And if Scaloni's message is anything to go by, Argentina intend to defend their crown by staying true to the principles that brought them back to another final.