FIFA World Cup final: Ronaldo backs Spain to beat Argentina easily
Synopsis
Brazil legend Ronaldo didn't hedge — he called it: Spain will win the FIFA World Cup final easily. With six straight wins and just one goal conceded, Spain's possession machine has convinced one of football's greatest ever that Argentina, Messi and all, simply can't live with their footballing DNA.
Key Takeaways
Brazil legend Ronaldo has predicted Spain will beat Argentina comfortably in the FIFA World Cup final .
Spain reached the final after a 2-0 win over France ; Argentina edged England 2-1 from a goal down.
Spain won six consecutive matches after an opening draw against Cabo Verde , conceding just one goal .
Ronaldo credited Pep Guardiola 's influence for shaping Spain's long-standing footballing philosophy.
Ronaldo praised Lionel Messi and Argentina's spirit of comebacks, but believes their style will be overwhelmed by Spain's possession game.
The final pits Messi against teenage sensation Lamine Yamal , with Argentina chasing back-to-back titles and Spain seeking their second World Cup.
Brazil legend Ronaldo has tipped Spain to comfortably defeat defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final, calling the European side's footballing identity extraordinary and making them his overwhelming favourites to lift the trophy on Monday.
How Both Teams Reached the Final
Spain secured their place in the title clash with a commanding 2-0 win over France in the semifinal. Argentina, meanwhile, staged a comeback from a goal down to edge England 2-1, booking a spot in a second successive World Cup final. The stage is now set for a clash between European fluidity and South American grit.
What Ronaldo Said About Spain
The two-time World Cup winner was unequivocal in his assessment, telling ESPN: 'I think Spain will win and the game will be easy. For me, France and Spain have always been the favourites, and I always remember the programme before the France-Spain game I said the champion would win that game.'
Ronaldo went further, crediting Spain's deep-rooted footballing philosophy for their dominance throughout the tournament. 'I think Spain wins easily with football played in an extraordinary way. Their DNA is not just the football played in this World Cup; they have been doing this for a long time, they grew up doing it like this, playing this way. I think there's a lot of Pep Guardiola in there to have started this philosophy…,' he added.
Spain's tournament run has been remarkable — recovering from an opening draw against Cabo Verde, they won six consecutive matches to reach the final while conceding just one goal.
Ronaldo's Praise for Messi and Argentina
Despite predicting a Spanish victory, Ronaldo was generous in his assessment of Argentina and their captain Lionel Messi. 'What is still an absolute success for Argentina for this World Cup is the way they turned games on several occasions. Messi, one more time, makes one more beautiful story at a World Cup. It's a team that demonstrates a character, a spirit of overcoming, it's very beautiful and admirable, we have to learn from it,' Ronaldo said.
However, he believes Argentina will struggle to contain Spain's ball control and tempo management. 'But I think the way Spain play… it's very automated, the way they play is very automated, it's what you have to do every time in every phase, no hurry, they play the ball with speed, they run the game, they cool the game with possession,' he noted.
The Storylines Heading Into the Final
The final carries multiple compelling subplots. Argentina are chasing back-to-back World Cup titles — a feat that would cement this generation's legacy. Spain, meanwhile, are aiming to lift the trophy for just the second time in their history. At the centre of the contest is the generational duel between Messi and Spain's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, whose breakout tournament has drawn comparisons to the greatest players in the game's history. With Ronaldo's verdict delivered, the footballing world now awaits the final whistle.
Point of View
Invoking Guardiola as the architect of a philosophy that now runs through an entire generation. That framing matters: it suggests Spain's dominance is structural, not cyclical. The harder question mainstream coverage skips is what a second successive World Cup title would mean for Argentina's standing in football history — and whether a comfortable Spanish win would diminish or merely contextualise Messi's tournament. Ronaldo, pointedly, chose to praise Messi's story even while dismissing Argentina's chances. That balance tells you something about how the greatest players read each other.
NationPress
20 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who did Ronaldo predict to win the FIFA World Cup final?
Brazil legend Ronaldo predicted Spain to win the FIFA World Cup final, calling it an easy victory for the European side. He cited Spain's extraordinary footballing DNA and possession-based style as the decisive factors.
How did Spain and Argentina reach the FIFA World Cup final?
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the semifinal, while Argentina came from a goal down to beat England 2-1. It is Argentina's second successive World Cup final appearance.
What did Ronaldo say about Lionel Messi at this World Cup?
Ronaldo praised Messi warmly, saying he 'makes one more beautiful story at a World Cup' and lauded Argentina's character and spirit of overcoming adversity across the tournament.
Why does Ronaldo think Spain will win easily?
Ronaldo believes Spain's automated, possession-based style — which he partly credits to Pep Guardiola's philosophical influence — makes them almost impossible to disrupt. He noted they 'run the game' and 'cool the game with possession,' leaving opponents with little room to impose themselves.
What are the key storylines in the Spain vs Argentina World Cup final?
Argentina are chasing back-to-back World Cup titles, while Spain are aiming for only their second ever World Cup. A generational duel between Lionel Messi and teenage Spanish sensation Lamine Yamal adds another compelling layer to the final.
