CORNERFLICK
Pau Cubarsi has said he would like Spain to face Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, and he would pick Lionel Messi for a shirt swap if the chance came up.
The 19-year-old made the comments in a brief pre-tournament interview with Mundo Deportivo. Asked which player first comes to mind when he hears “World Cup”, he again answered: “Messi”.
Cubarsi is set to play at his first World Cup and said he wants to help Spain reach the highest level, while also keeping his own targets in mind. He named Argentina, the reigning world champions, when asked which team he would most like to meet in a hypothetical final.
The idea of Spain against Argentina has added to the anticipation around the tournament in North America. Spain have a young squad built around talents such as Lamine Yamal and Cubarsi, while Argentina are looking to defend the title they won in Qatar in 2022.
If both sides win their groups and advance all the way to the final, Cubarsi could end up with both a World Cup final and a prized Messi shirt.