Messi Kicks Off Final, Then Goes Untouched Until 15th Minute

Argentina's star, Lionel Messi, touched the ball only once in the opening 15 minutes of the World Cup final against Spain. Messi's sole touch in the first quarter-hour of the match came when he took the kickoff from the center circle.

By the midway point of the first half, the "Gauchos'" captain had only been involved with the ball five times, placing him among the least engaged players in the game, alongside his teammate Julián Álvarez.