Barcelona legends Xavi Hernandez and Javier Mascherano see their old club's fingerprints all over the World Cup final. Spain's squad features La Masia graduates like Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsi, players Xavi himself promoted during his time as manager. Argentina, of course, is led by Lionel Messi, Barcelona's most famous export.
The two former players spoke in New York, emphasizing that Barcelona's footballing philosophy runs through both finalists.
"We have to be proud with this philosophy, with this idea," Xavi said. "It's one idea, and still the idea is going on. We are in the final with this system, even Argentina."
Mascherano, who was Messi's teammate at Barcelona and his coach at Inter Miami, marveled at the 39-year-old's sustained excellence.
"He is a special one, you know? You cannot compare (him) with anyone. He's different, totally different," Mascherano said. "He is still showing that he is the owner of the game. He has the ball, and he makes the decisions sometimes that he is going to win the game and he can do that."
Xavi called Messi "the best in history," adding, "He's still making a difference on the pitch. And his ambition, his attitude, he's a warrior."
Neither legend would predict a winner, agreeing the single-match format makes it unpredictable. "I think only God knows what is going to happen," Mascherano said.