Argentina's Consul General to Mumbai, Daniel Quer Confalonieri, has expressed strong confidence that the reigning world champions are well-placed to defeat Spain in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final on Sunday, and that Lionel Messi — at 39 years old — has every chance of closing his international career with a second World Cup triumph.

Argentina's Tournament Journey

Confalonieri acknowledged that Argentina did not begin the tournament in commanding fashion. 'Argentina is growing into the tournament. We didn't start particularly well; we were winning matches in the last ten minutes, even during the group stage,' he said. However, he pointed to a turning point in the second half of their match against England as the moment the squad found its rhythm. 'After the second half against England, where we played magnificent football and Messi led the team brilliantly, I think we now have a real chance in the final against Spain,' he added.

He stopped short of predicting a certain victory. 'I don't know if we're going to win, but I certainly hope so. Spain is a very good team with outstanding players. However, I believe Argentina are very solid, and I'm very confident and optimistic about our chances of winning the tournament,' he said.

Messi: Humble, Fit, and Playing His Last World Cup

Confalonieri offered a personal account of meeting Messi during the Argentine icon's visit to Mumbai on 14 December last year, at the Wankhede Stadium, where thousands of Indian fans had gathered. 'He's a very humble person. He plays magnificent football, but he doesn't speak much. He's humble, respectful, and lets his football do the talking. That's what a truly great football player does,' the diplomat said.

He also reflected on Messi's extraordinary personal journey — from a child in Argentina battling a growth hormone deficiency that threatened his footballing dreams, to relocating to Spain for medical treatment and a specialised diet, and eventually joining Barcelona, where he spent many years before becoming one of the greatest footballers in history. 'Although his professional career was largely developed in Spain, he remains truly Argentine in the way he plays,' Confalonieri observed.

With Messi now 39 years old, Confalonieri confirmed that this tournament is widely expected to be the forward's final World Cup appearance. 'We are fortunate to have the opportunity to watch him. Even at 39, he's incredibly fit and continues to perform at the highest level,' he said.

Team Unity Over Individual Stars

Despite the global spotlight on Messi, Confalonieri was emphatic that Argentina's strength lies in its collective. 'It's not just about Messi; the entire Argentine squad is performing exceptionally well. We have many good footballers. The whole team is made up of warriors. I like to think of it as Messi and his warriors. There is a real sense of unity among the players,' he said.

Having watched Spain eliminate France in the semi-finals — a match in which Spain controlled the midfield despite France fielding attackers of the calibre of Kylian Mbappé — Confalonieri stressed that collective effort, not individual brilliance alone, decides major tournaments. 'You don't win a major tournament because of individual stars alone. You win by playing as a team. Every player has to work together, move forward as a unit, and support one another. That's what makes the difference in competitions of this level,' he said.

What to Watch in the Final

Sunday's final pits two of international football's most decorated nations against each other, with Argentina defending the title they won in 2022 and Spain looking to add a fourth World Cup to their collection. The match will also serve as the last major international stage for Messi, lending it a weight that goes beyond the scoreline. How Spain's midfield dominance is countered by Argentina's collective resilience is likely to be the defining tactical battle of the evening.