Coach Lionel Scaloni insists the entire world craves one final glimpse of Lionel Messi on the sport's biggest stage. The defending champions open their tournament Tuesday night against Algeria at Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium.
Messi, who has dealt with a minor hamstring issue, looked sharp in a final tuneup against Iceland. Barring an unforeseen event, the captain will earn his 200th international cap.
"Not only the Argentinian population but everybody - the whole planet - wants to see him play," Scaloni said. "He has an effect not only on Argentina fans but supporters all over the world."
Fans traveled for hours to catch a glimpse of the icon. Michelle Lemmon drove 160 miles from Kirksville, Missouri, to Kansas City, calling the chance to witness the 2022 champions a birthday honor. Other supporters simply call him the god of football.
Argentina seeks to become only the third nation to repeat as champion, joining Italy in the 1930s and Brazil in 1962. Teammate Nicolas Otamendi described their 2022 shootout victory over France as a moment that united the country and injected the squad with humility. He called Messi a simple man who is also a competitive animal on the pitch.