Argentina
Lionel Messi has already decided that, after retirement, he will focus on his club and continue to expand his vast commercial empire
With work among young players, his hotel chain and a growing presence in fashion, Leo’s future is already taking shape. And, naturally, Catalonia will be its base.
Messi’s departure will have a huge impact on the Argentine Football Association, which has generated substantial revenue from a commercial strategy centred on its star player
It will mark the end of an era, not only on the pitch and in the public imagination, but also in the way the Selección is marketed globally.
The ball Diego Maradona used to score the Hand of God goal is set to go to auction and could fetch $10 million
Heritage Auctions, which will auction the ball between August 21 and 23, hopes it will fetch more than the shirt Diego wore in the same match.
The World Cup was won by the team that deserved it most (and Spain’s model cannot be replicated)
The triumph and dominance over Argentina, after a World Cup they controlled from start to finish, are the result of work that has been underway for decades. A process the Spaniards always believed in, despite the setbacks.
The Argentina-Spain World Cup final will have the highest ticket prices of any sporting event in American history
To see Messi face Yamal live, some fans are willing to spend a year’s salary.
It is impossible to say for certain that Argentina are the strongest national team in the world, but they are certainly the most superstitious
From the way they step onto the pitch for warm-up to the tradition of asado in camp: the rituals that have helped Argentina forge such a close-knit group.
The World Cup final will be played in a spectacular stadium, but nobody likes the pitch
Players and coaches who have experienced the MetLife Stadium pitch say the surface is too hard and almost feels artificial.
Argentina deservedly beat England, but Thomas Tuchel lost the semi-final
Trying to sit deep against a team that thrives on competitive intensity ultimately proved the wrong approach.
Whatever Argentina do, on and above all off the pitch, is geared towards putting Lionel Messi in the best possible position
And Leo has done and continues to do everything he can to carry the Selección to another World Cup title.
Argentina once again relying on the talent of its stars, but the Scaloneta still have questions to answer ahead of the semi-finals
Messi’s assist, then goals from Álvarez and Lautaro. Yet the Selección found Switzerland difficult to tame.
Scaloni’s Argentina play a style of football that cannot be replicated, built around Messi and the unity of the group that delivered every major trophy
The most successful national team in recent years is born from a tactical and emotional revolution desired by its coach, which has its roots in the history of the country and celebrates the superstar wearing the number 10 jersey.
A partnership with Messi costs millions of dollars, but brands that work with him are almost certain to see a return on their investment (especially if Argentina go deep at the World Cup)
The Argentine star’s run to the World Cup semi-finals has increased — and will continue to increase — the revenue generated by his image rights, just as it did during the 2022 edition in Qatar.