Messi went barefoot to Argentina’s final training session before heading to New Jersey

Last move before the final

Lionel Messi appeared at the end of the Argentina national team's preparation with an image that has already gone around the Albiceleste camp: he went out barefoot to the squad's final training session before traveling to New Jersey. The captain worked alongside the rest of the starters who played against England, in a session designed for recovery.

The snapshot confirms that the Scaloneta has entered the final stretch of its build-up for the decisive World Cup 2026 match, with Lionel Scaloni fine-tuning details while the squad eases the workload after a highly demanding semifinal.

Recovery, routine and focus on the finish

According to reports in the last few hours, the training session was light for the players who started the clash with England. Messi was in that group, completing recovery work before the squad continues its route toward the stadium where the tournament will be decided.

The detail does not alter the coaching staff's central idea: to arrive with the full squad, and as close to full fitness as possible, for the most important game on the calendar. In that context, the Rosario native's presence in the final session once again puts the spotlight on his role as the team's footballing and emotional leader.

Among the names that have been driving Argentina's run in this stage of the Copa are also Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Enzo Fernández, key pieces that have sustained the national team's progress to this point. But, as every pre-match build-up dictates, everything begins and ends with Messi.

Argentina's buildup, with the captain leading the way

The image of the barefoot captain in training is one of those snapshots that usually stick with big finals. Without needing to overstate it, the detail speaks of a work routine focused on recovery and of a team that has already set its sights on the match to come.

• travel to New Jersey;
• complete the final adjustments;
• wait for Scaloni's starting lineup decision;
• and reach the decisive clash with the squad ready to compete.

Meanwhile, the national team's buildup continues to be charged by the natural anticipation of a World Cup final, with Messi as the reference point and the group responding to the roadmap laid out by the coach from the start of the tournament.

What's next for the Scaloneta

With the final training session already done, Argentina is in final mode. The next step will be to settle in New Jersey and wrap up preparations before the title match. There, the starting eleven will be finalized, while the national team tries to repeat a formula that carried them through the toughest moments of the World Cup.

The countdown is on and, as always in matches of this kind, every detail matters. That is why the image of Messi barefoot in training is not just a colorful anecdote: it is the sign that the national team has already left recovery behind and is heading toward the showdown.