Lionel Messi and Argentina will lose 4-0 to Spain in FIFA World Cup final, claims ex-Chelsea defender

Former Chelsea defender Frank Leboeuf has predicted that Spain will trounce Lionel Messi’s Argentina by a whopping 4-0 scoreline in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final.

Spain have conceded just one goal and scored 13 in seven games en route to the final. While the statistics suggest otherwise, their campaign has been full of twists and turns. They were held to a stunning draw by tournament debutants Cabo Verde in the opener (0-0) but followed it up with wins over Saudi Arabia (4-0), Uruguay (1-0) and Austria (3-0, Round of 32).

Midfielder Mikel Merino scored back-to-back winners off the bench against Portugal (1-0) and Belgium (2-1) in the Round of 16 and quarter-final respectively. In the semi-final, The Red outplayed another tournament favourite, France, to win by a comfortable 2-0 margin.

While Messi has delivered some scintillating performances (eight goals, four assists in seven games), Argentina have had their fair share of drama as well. They overcame a dogged Cabo Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32, came back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 and scored twice deep into extra time to beat a 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-final. They completed another turnaround in the semi-final against England, scoring in the 85th and 92nd minute to seal a 2-1 win.

Ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, fans and pundits have been split in their predictions. However, Leboeuf had no doubts in his mind, prophesying a massive victory for Spain.

The 58-year-old said (via ESPN UK on YouTube):

“I’m sorry, I will have to go with a really large (scoreline). I’m going 4-0 to Spain. I have respect and I could go for 3-2 but I’m sorry, the scenario that I see is that if Spain score one goal, Argentina have to get out and play and they could get punished considering the talent of the Spanish team.”

Spain are aiming to win their second FIFA World Cup title after their historic 2010 triumph. Meanwhile Messi’s Argentina are hoping to repeat their heroics from the previous edition and add a fourth star to their crest (previously won in 1978, 1986, 2022).

“It was nothing bad” – England star Jude Bellingham opens up on his viral exchange with Lionel Messi during FIFA World Cup semi-final

Star midfielder Jude Bellingham has claimed that his animated conversation with Lionel Messi during England’s FIFA World Cup semi-final against Argentina was ‘nothing bad’.

The pair were seen exchanging words during a stoppage in the game. Judging by the reaction from Messi, the chat was interpreted by many as Bellingham’s attempt to get under the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner’s skin, igniting controversy online.

Speaking after the game, the Real Madrid man asserted that the conversation was not as big as everyone made it out to be. The 23-year-old said (via Birmingham Mail):

“We were discussing a foul actually. It was nothing bad. I’m sure everyone will do their thing and make it a big deal (out of it). But it was nothing big really. I thought there was a foul earlier and he (Messi) said: ‘What about the one on me?’ I said: ‘You’re strong enough to take it.’ You know what I mean?”

England will next be seen in action in the 2026 FIFA World Cup bronze medal match against France on Saturday (July 18). Meanwhile, Messi’s Argentina will face off against Spain in the final on Sunday (July 19).