Lionel Messi speaks in advance of World Cup final, says Argentina 'will give it our all'
Lionel Messi and other sports legends appeared at Fanatics Fest in New York ahead of the World Cup final between Argentina and Spain. The event featured a unique format where athletes interviewed one another, highlighting Messi's global influence.
Why it matters
The World Cup final is a major global cultural event, and the participation of cross-sport icons underscores the massive commercial and cultural reach of professional soccer.
The lineup of sports legends, all on the stage at Fanatics Fest on Friday night (July 17, 2026), was almost absurd. There was Tom Brady, the greatest Super Bowl champion of all time. There was Novak Djokovic, the winner of more men's Grand Slam tennis tournaments than anyone else. There was Kevin Durant, the only four-time Olympic gold medalist in men's basketball history.
And before they left, they all got a selfie with Lionel Messi.
Let that be the latest proof of Messi's power: Even the biggest stars in the sports universe clearly enjoy a chance to be around the best soccer player of all-time. They'll all be watching Sunday — along with probably 1.5 billion other people worldwide — when Messi and Argentina face Spain in the World Cup final.
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