Even global sporting icons can get a bit starstruck when Lionel Messi is around.<\/p>\n
The Argentinian legend took time out from preparing for the World Cup final to participate in a special all-star press conference in New York, arranged by FIFA in conjunction with global sports platform Fanatics.<\/p>\n
It was part of Fanatics Fest, a festival that attracts thousands of fans to get close-ish with famous names from across the sporting world.<\/p>\n
NFL legend Tom Brady, 24-time grand slam tennis champion Novak Djokovic and NBA superstar Kevin Durant all took turns asking questions of Messi, his teammate Emi Martinez and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, as well as Spain captain Rodri.<\/p>\n
But the pinnacle of the entire event was clear for everyone watching \u2013 a selfie taken by Durant, presumably because he has the longest arms, which featured all the aforementioned sporting stars as well as former England defender Rio Ferdinand, comedian Kevin Hart and rap sensation Travis Scott.<\/p>\n
Selfie time at Fanatics Festival ahead of World Cup Final. \ud83d\udcf8 pic.twitter.com\/w72Ty9r8nk<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) July 18, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n ULTIMATE GUIDE:\u00a0Who will actually win the World Cup final?<\/a> It\u2019s the second iconic photo featuring Messi to go viral this week, after the 19-year-old picture of a young Messi giving a baby Lamine Yamal a bath began doing the rounds on social media once Spain and Argentina had qualified for the World Cup final.<\/p>\n
\n <\/p>\n \u201cWhat a crazy picture,\u201d Messi said when asked about that photo by Brady.<\/p>\n In more serious tones, Messi was succinct when speaking about Argentina\u2019s approach to the game against Spain on Monday morning AEST.<\/p>\n \u201cWe will give it our all,\u201d Messi said. \u201cI\u2019ve said many times: we never stop fighting.\u201d<\/p>\n It\u2019s a theme that Scaloni has spoken of several times throughout the tournament, which is understandable given how many times they\u2019ve had to fight back from a deficit to win late in the game, much as they did in the semi-final against England on Thursday AEST.<\/p>\n When probed by Djokovic, who knows a fair bit about rising to the occasion for a final, about how Argentina will deal with the pressure of trying to help Messi secure a second World Cup, Scaloni was coy.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one more game,\u201d Scaloni said. \u201cWe cannot really think about the fact that it\u2019s a World Cup final.\u201d<\/p>\n Want the latest football news delivered straight to your inbox?\u00a0Sign up for the Football360 Daily newsletter today. It\u2019s FREE!<\/a><\/p>\n Martinez, who was alongside Messi when he lifted the World Cup trophy four years ago, was a little more expansive when speaking of the emotion of the decider, and what it would mean if he was able to help Argentina become the first team since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 to win back-to-back world championships.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve got a group of players and a group of coaches that are working incredibly hard every single day to try to bring happiness to my country,\u201d Martinez said. <\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going to give absolutely our best, with Leo, with the team that we have, to bring the World Cup back to my country and celebrate with our people.\u201d<\/p>\n Watch or listen to Football360 Today here, or via our YouTube channel<\/a>, or search Football360 Today on Apple Podcasts<\/a> or Spotify<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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