Argentina's World Cup final video: 'Here comes the defending champion'

Hours before the 2026 World Cup final against Spain, the official Argentinian national team account released a powerful video evoking their journey and proclaiming their status as "the defending champion."

Set to Bill Conti's "Going the Distance" from the movie Rocky, the one-and-a-half-minute video chronicles the team's path under coach Lionel Scaloni in recent years. It features the iconic sound of boxing bells and the World Cup trophy before showing players, led by Lionel Messi, entering the field for warm-ups.

A voiceover declares, "Here comes the defending team. The one that has been in five consecutive finals. The one they tried to knock down a thousand times and got back up." Images from the Qatar 2022 World Cup and recent training sessions in Kansas accompany the narration, which also praises Messi as "the best on the planet" and "the one who never gives up and dances with his feet like no one else in the world."

The video also touches upon the players' humble beginnings, showcasing childhood images of Julián Álvarez, Lautaro Martínez, and Enzo Fernández. It highlights "the neighborhood clubs, and all those kids thirsty for glory" and those who "came out of corners with words and always came out with football."

Referencing classic Argentinian rituals like gatherings, family, and barbecues before matches, the voiceover celebrates the fans' passion. It also pays homage to football legends Diego Maradona and César Luis Menotti, and the "boys from the Malvinas who I will never forget." The video concludes with the resolute message: "Ladies and gentlemen: here we come, and we are going for everything."