‘Perfect finish’: FIFA president calls Messi vs Yamal World Cup final ‘blessed from football gods’ | Football News
FIFA president Gianni Infantino described Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final between Spain and Argentina as “a blessing from the football gods”, calling it the perfect end to what he believes is the greatest World Cup in history.Speaking in an exclusive MARCA interview on the eve of the final at the New York New Jersey Stadium, Infantino said football could not have wished for a bigger occasion, with reigning world champions Argentina led by Lionel Messi taking on a Spain side led by teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.For Infantino, the fixture represented more than just a fight for the trophy. It is, in his view, the meeting of the greatest icon of football with the player that many believe could define the next generation of the game.
“A blessing from the football gods”
Infantino didn’t try to hide his excitement as he looked ahead to Sunday’s showpiece.“This end is a blessing from the football gods,” Infantino told MARCA.He pointed to the unique storyline surrounding Messi and Yamal as one of the defining images of the tournament.“We have Messi, Lamine Yamal, and many other amazing players. It’s amazing.”
Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with his teammates at the end of the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
The FIFA president believes the finalists have fully secured their places after negotiating what he described as an extremely difficult tournament.“They are the two best teams. They deserve to be in this final and they played very well.”“It’s not easy to get here. There are 48 teams, amazing matches, and a very challenging World Cup.” Infantino added, Thinking of the expanded competition to 48-team.
Messi and Yamal headline football’s biggest stage
While acknowledging the quality that permeated both squads, Infantino repeatedly returned to the symbolic image of Messi facing Yamal.The Argentina captain, now 39, is preparing for what could be the final World Cup match of his remarkable career. In the middle line will stand 19-year-old Yamal, who is widely regarded as one of the brightest stars in football.
Spain’s Lamine Yamal (19) celebrates at the end of the World Cup quarterfinal soccer match between Spain and Belgium in Inglewood, Calif., near Los Angeles, Friday, July 10, 2026. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)
For Infantino, that contrast perfectly seized the occasion.“There is Messi, there is Lamine Yamal, and there are many other amazing players. But there is also that picture. It is unbelievable.”It is believed to be referring to a now-viral photo from 2007 showing a 20-year-old Lionel Messi bathing five-month-old Lamine Yamal in a plastic tub at the Camp Nou. The moment was captured during a charity calendar photoshoot organized by FC Barcelona and UNICEF, and returned again in 2024, garnering a lot of attention around the world as Yamal rose to prominence.
The 20-year-old soccer star Lionel Messi helped bathe Lamine Yamal, who was only six months old at the time, during a photo session last Sept. 2007 in the dressing room of the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona, Spain. (AP Photo/Joan Monfort)
He believes the matchup transcends football itself, bringing two generations together in one defining moment.
“The world will stop”
Infantino predicted that Sunday’s final will attract a large global audience.“It’s going to be like fireworks. It’s going to be amazing. The world is going to stop.”“Three billion people will watch how the World Cup ends.” He added.The FIFA president also praised the atmosphere of the entire tournament, saying that the scale of the event exceeded even his own expectations.“I thought it would be big, but not like this. Not on this scale, with this atmosphere, this celebration, and this energy.”According to Infantino, supporters from all over the world have transformed the competition into a global celebration.“There is a feeling of happiness all over the world. Of course, if you lose you will be sad, but people come from everywhere to celebrate football.”
Why Infantino believes this is the greatest World Cup
Infantino didn’t hesitate when asked how he would rank the tournament.“The World Cup is absolutely amazing, amazing, and amazing.”He continued:“The best players, the best teams, the people, the stadiums are full, and it’s a total celebration.”For the FIFA president, the tournament delivered everything the governing body expected, while also laying the foundations for future editions.“The world stopped and watched. This is the best in history, past and present, and it also prepares us for the future.”He also highlighted what he described as a peaceful atmosphere created throughout the month-long tournament.“We didn’t have any incidents. People came from all over the world, and everyone celebrated football.”Infantino concluded by praising traditional football powers and developing countries for contributing to the scene.“All the champions are playing, but also new teams and new countries. We have seen stories that only football can write and become legends.”Before the interview ended, he repeated his assessment in unmistakable terms.“This is the best World Cup in history.”
The tournament was not without controversy
Despite Infantino’s glowing review, the 2026 World Cup has also been accompanied by several high-profile controversies.FIFA faced criticism for several refereeing decisions during the tournament, especially in games involving defending champion Argentina. Disputes over VAR calls and officiating decisions have prompted the viral social media term “VARgentina”, although FIFA’s referee department and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni have consistently rejected suggestions of favoritism and defended the integrity of the competition.Infantino also faces scrutiny of FIFA’s relationship with United States President Donald Trump after the governing body overturned the suspension of United States forward Folarin Balogun following Trump’s public intervention. The human rights organization FairSquare later filed a complaint with the International Olympic Committee’s Ethics Commission, alleging violations of political neutrality, while UEFA and the Belgian Football Association were among those critical of the decision.
President Donald Trump speaks as FIFA President Gianni Infantino listens during a reception at Trump Tower in New York, Friday, July 17, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
Separately, FIFA is also investigating disciplinary reports following the post-match display of Argentina players with a banner reading “Las Malvinas son Argentinas” following their semifinal victory over England. FIFA confirmed that the independent Disciplinary Committee is examining the relevant match reports before deciding whether further action is required under the FIFA Disciplinary Code.None of those issues, however, changed Infantino’s view of the tournament.The final of the World Cup between Argentina and Spain will take place at the New York New Jersey Stadium (MetLife Stadium) in East Rutherford, New Jersey, starting at 12:30 AM IST on Monday, July 20, 2026. Infantino remains convinced that the competition has given the perfect ending, with the greatest champion of the game sharing the stage for the last time with the player of the future that many believe in the tournament.
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