Brazilian football legend Ronaldo Nazário made a striking prediction this Sunday, stating that Spain will "easily" defeat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, taking place this afternoon at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
"I believe Spain will easily beat Argentina. For me, France and Spain have always been the favorites. I remember saying before the France-Spain semifinal that the winner would emerge from that match," remarked the former Real Madrid and Barcelona player on his digital platform 'Rede Ronaldo'.
Nicknamed "O Fenômeno," Ronaldo explained that the Spanish team will overwhelmingly control ball possession, leaving Argentina with few options to overturn a disadvantageous scoreline.
"There's a lot of Pep Guardiola's influence in this, having started that philosophy at Barcelona. I don't think Argentina has the strength to come back against Spain, who will have possession the entire time," he emphasized.
According to Ronaldo, La Roja will capture their second World Cup title "with football played in an extraordinary way," thanks to a style developed over years, deeply rooted in the approach Guardiola introduced at the Catalan club.
The two-time World Cup champion, however, acknowledged the merit of their opponent.
"They came back in several matches, and Messi is writing another beautiful chapter in World Cup history; it's a team that shows character, resilience, and determination," he praised about the Albiceleste, describing their campaign as "an absolute success."
This Sunday's final marks an unprecedented clash in World Cup history: Spain and Argentina have never met in a final before, and their head-to-head record is remarkably balanced, with each team winning six times and drawing twice in 14 official encounters.
Spain reached this stage by defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals on July 14, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal via penalty and Pedro Porro, while Argentina overcame England 2-1 with goals from Enzo Fernández and Lautaro Martínez.
On the other side, Lionel Messi, at 39 years old, is playing what he has called "likely his last World Cup match," aiming for his second world championship gold medal following the 2022 Qatar title.
Additionally, Argentina becomes the first team in the modern era to play in two consecutive World Cup finals, adding an extra historical dimension to the event.
The winner of the final will receive a record-breaking $50 million prize, the highest amount ever awarded by FIFA in a World Cup.
Insights on the 2026 World Cup Final
What prediction did Ronaldo Nazário make about the World Cup final?
Ronaldo Nazário predicted that Spain would easily defeat Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final.
How did Spain and Argentina reach the final?
Spain reached the final by defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals, while Argentina overcame England 2-1.
What historical significance does the 2026 final hold?
The 2026 final is historically significant because it's the first time Spain and Argentina have faced each other in a World Cup final, and Argentina is the first team in the modern era to appear in two consecutive finals.