Piqué Praises Messi's Intelligence as His Primary Weapon

Spain's World Cup winner Gerard Piqué has highlighted the strengths of Argentine superstar and former teammate Lionel Messi, pinpointing what makes him such a unique player.

At the 2026 World Cup, the 39-year-old Argentine has already netted eight goals and provided four assists in seven matches, all leading up to today's final.

"Messi possesses many qualities, and intelligence is certainly one of them. He understands he's no longer 25, but he knows perfectly how to position himself in dangerous areas. His innate, unique talent allows him to find the best moments to enter the penalty box, quickly link up with short passes, or drift wide and deliver fantastic crosses. It goes without saying that he's the best at finishing," Piqué told "AS."

The former Barcelona defender believes Messi will almost always find a gap on the field, regardless of how many players are marking him. "And if the attention on him slips for even a moment, it creates favorable situations for other Argentine players, because Argentina isn't just Messi," he added.

The final between Spain and Argentina is set to take place tonight at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA. Kick-off is scheduled for 10:00 PM ET.