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International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Sport
Marty Vergel Baes

Argentina vs Spain: Inside the Emotional Times Square Takeover as Messi Reportedly Faces His 'Last World Cup'

Thousands of Argentina and Messi fans took over Times Square hours before the Argentina vs Spain final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup (Credit: Diario AS/YouTube)

Thousands of Argentina supporters transformed New York City's Times Square into a sea of blue and white ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Police closed surrounding streets as crowds packed one of the world's busiest landmarks, with supporters singing, waving giant flags and chanting Lionel Messi's name.

The remarkable gathering was about far more than supporting Argentina against Spain. For many fans, it was an emotional farewell to Messi, whose appearance in Sunday's final is widely seen as his likely farewell to the World Cup stage.

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