Mexican divers shine at the start of the Mexico Cup

Lionel Messi responded to the questions against Argentina and made it clear that success in the World Cup does not respond to referee favors or privileges.

“Nobody gave us anything,” said the captain after reaching the final.

The comeback against England

The Albiceleste beat England 2-1 in the semifinals after trailing 1-0 until the 85th minute. The victory sparked celebrations in Buenos Aires and placed the team one step away from winning consecutive world championships, with Spain as its rival in the final.

Doubts arose in previous matches against Cape Verde, Switzerland and Egypt, where rivals and coaches pointed out referee decisions that they considered favorable to the Argentine team. Swiss coach Murat Yakin and Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan cited alleged irregularities during their eliminations.

Messi rejected these versions and highlighted the group’s consistency throughout the World Cup cycle.

“We were the best in these four years, no matter who it hurts and no matter what they say,” said the forward, who assured that reaching two finals in a row shows the strength of the team.

The controversy over the Malvinas banner

The semifinal also left an episode off the field: some Argentine players celebrated with a banner alluding to the Malvinas Islands. The British government asked FIFA to investigate the incident.

Coach Lionel Scaloni considered that the accusations of referee help will continue, but pointed out that with the VAR it is difficult for there to be undue benefits. Both he and Messi defended the integrity of the team and emphasized that success is the result of a collective effort.

A record for Pelé’s legacy

The number 10 shirt that the legendary Brazilian soccer player Pelé wore in the 1958 World Cup final was sold for $4.9 million, Sotheby’s auction house reported this Thursday.

Pelé, who passed away in 2022, was just 17 years old when he scored two goals in Brazil’s 5-2 victory over Sweden at Rasunda Stadium. He remains the youngest player to score in a World Cup final.

The piece is considered a priceless collector’s item, not only because of its history, but because of the impact that Pelé had on global football. The sale generated great interest among collectors and fans.

This event highlights how Pelé’s legacy continues to attract the attention of new generations and demonstrates the historical value of objects associated with sporting greats.

The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain in New Jersey has a special background on the benches. Luis de la Fuente, coach of Spain, was Lionel Scaloni’s teacher in 2017, when the latter took the coaching course in Las Rozas.

Both face each other for the first time in a decisive match. Scaloni remembers it like this:

“In addition to having been my teacher in the coaching course, I have had a particular relationship with him, because I like his closeness and coincidentally today we met in a final.”

De la Fuente, for his part, expressed his admiration: “I am an admirer of him in football and he is a great person.”

Two profiles without clubs

Scaloni and De la Fuente share that they have never coached professional clubs. In a World Cup with coaches like Ancelotti or Tuchel, they represent the traditional national team coach. Its success does not depend on tactics, but on human management.

“The most important thing is to manage a group, beyond tactics,” said De la Fuente, who took charge of Spain after Qatar 2022.

Scaloni, nicknamed the “accidental coach”, took over in 2018 after leaving Russia. Despite Maradona’s criticism – “Scaloni? He can’t even direct traffic” – he led Argentina to the 2021 Copa América, the 2022 World Cup and the 2024 Copa América.

Firm decisions

Both technicians do not hesitate to leave out figures. Scaloni defeated Rodrigo De Paul in the semifinals; De la Fuente excluded Pedri to make way for Fabián Ruiz. “We do what we believe the party needs,” Scaloni explained.

Scaloni lives in Mallorca and has a Spanish family, but on Sunday he will look for victory: “I’m sorry, we’re going to try to beat them.” Someone will be crowned, but the respect between teacher and student has already been sealed.