Four prominent names in African football have backed Spain to lift the World Cup trophy on Sunday, but their reasoning splits sharply—especially over whether the final should be viewed primarily through the individual matchup between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal.
Quick facts
- Argentina vs Spain is set for Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
- Kickoff is scheduled for 8 pm Nigerian time.
- Argentina are chasing a first-ever back-to-back World Cup triumph since Brazil’s success in 1958 and 1962.
- Spain, the 2010 champions, are in only their second World Cup final.
- Spain’s run included a group-stage goalless draw against Cape Verde.
- Argentina needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 16.
- Argentina then edged Egypt 3-2 in the round of 32 after another tight contest.
- Gernot Rohr, Tom Saintfiet and Sani Kaita all leaned toward Spain, while Emmanuel Amuneke also backed Spain but argued the Messi–Yamal angle should not dominate.
Argentina take on Spain at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday, with the match starting at 8 pm Nigerian time. Lionel Scaloni’s side are aiming to become the first team to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962.
Spain, coached by Luis de la Fuente, are the 2010 World Cup winners and are appearing in just their second final. Their route to the showpiece began with a scoreless group draw against Cape Verde, before the tournament turned as they advanced through the knockout stages.
Argentina’s path has been equally demanding. They needed an extra-time breakthrough to overcome Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 16, then followed up with a narrow 3-2 win over Egypt in the round of 32.
Amuneke insists it’s not a rivalry
Emmanuel Amuneke—1994 African Footballer of the Year and a winner of the Africa Cup of Nations with Nigeria that same year—argued that the final should not be reduced to a head-to-head rivalry between Messi and Yamal. Amuneke also represented Nigeria at the 1994 World Cup in the United States and later played for Barcelona.
He said there is “no rivalry” between the two, describing Yamal as just beginning a potentially exceptional career while Messi is nearing the end of an extraordinary journey. Amuneke added that Yamal’s admiration for Messi rules out any real competitive clash at this stage.
“Yamal cannot even think of a rivalry because Messi is his idol. He grew up watching him, learning from him and dreaming of reaching the heights Messi has achieved,” Amuneke said. “That relationship is one of admiration, not competition.”
Amuneke, who also won Olympic gold with Nigeria’s Under-23 team at Atlanta in 1996, said the World Cup final is simply one match and cannot change the relationship between the two players. He stressed that the respect and bond will continue regardless of the result.
“The World Cup final between Argentina and Spain is just one game. It will come and go, but the respect between Messi and Yamal will remain. Whatever the result, they will still continue with that godfather-godson relationship,” he said.
Even while predicting Spain’s success, Amuneke framed the night as a learning opportunity for Yamal. He argued that Messi has already secured his place in football history, while Yamal’s focus should be on building his own legacy instead of being measured against someone who has already achieved almost everything.
“Messi has already written his name in football history. Yamal is only beginning to write his own story. He should focus on learning, improving and enjoying the journey instead of being compared with someone who has achieved almost everything in the game,” Amuneke added.
Rohr, Kaita and Saintfiet back Spain
Gernot Rohr, who watched Germany and France suffer painful exits—Germany falling to Paraguay on penalties in the round of 16 and France losing to Spain in the semi-final—was blunt in his selection. The current head coach of Benin’s Cheetahs pointed to Spain’s player quality and their structure on the pitch.
“I think Spain is the favourite because of the quality of the players and their organisation on the pitch,” Rohr said.
Sani Kaita, a former Nigeria midfielder who was part of the Super Eagles squad at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, also described the final as a “top game” but still backed Spain. He believes Spain’s best level is enough to beat any opponent, while noting Argentina’s danger through experience and Messi.
“Top game is that, definitely,” Kaita said. “However, Spain at their best can beat any team. I am looking forward to a fantastic game on Sunday. Argentina are dangerous due to their experience and, of course, Messi. Hopefully, Spain will go over the line against Argentina on Sunday.”
Tom Saintfiet, who most recently coached Mali before stepping down from the role in April, pointed to Spain’s defensive improvement. He highlighted that Spain have conceded only one goal in their previous seven matches as a key reason to lean toward La Roja.
“To be honest, I have no strong opinion on who wins, but I lean a little toward Spain,” Saintfiet said. “Argentina have already had things go their way at points in this tournament. Spain beat Belgium, my home country, and Belgium were the only side to score against them so far. It would be nice to see Spain become world champions.”
Garba says the duel will matter
Manu Garba offered a different perspective from Amuneke. The coach, who led Nigeria’s Golden Eaglets to the 2013 FIFA U-17 World Cup title and then guided them to the 2015 CAF U-20 AFCON crown after previously serving as assistant to the late Yemi Tella during Nigeria’s 2007 U-17 triumph, said the Messi–Yamal storyline will be the defining subplot of the final.
Garba described the matchup as a generational contest, with Yamal positioned as Spain’s key figure and Messi as Argentina’s most influential creative force—capable of scoring or setting up teammates. He expects Spain to be prepared for Messi’s strengths and to attempt to limit him in time and space.
“The rivalry between Messi and his rising star Yamal will be interesting to watch, with Yamal as Spain’s talisman while Argentina have arguably the most talented and creative player in Messi to either score or create for others,” Garba said.
“Spain know Messi’s strengths and will try to deny him time and space, just as they did against Mbappé and Dembélé, who have both played in Barcelona and Madrid — but Messi can always find a way to score or provide the killer pass. Yamal will want to show his mentor and the world that he is ready to take over from him.
“Argentina have resilience, experience, mental strength and the desire to win. Spain play the best brand of football — total football, dominating and retaining possession under pressure, with players who read the game and quickly regroup to win it back. Whoever wins the trophy, football wins. I admire the team play of Spain, though I also love Messi and Barcelona. Good luck to both teams.”
