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Brazil legend Ronaldo Nazario believes Spain will have too much quality for defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, backing Luis de la Fuente’s side to secure a comfortable victory over Lionel Messiteam. Spain and Argentina will meet on Sunday at the New York, New Jersey Stadium in the 104th and final match of the extended tournament. La Roja enter the spectacle unbeaten in 37 games and conceding just one goal in seven World Cups, while Argentina are chasing a fourth world title and hope to become the first men’s team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the trophy. Speaking to ESPN Brasil before the final, Ronaldo clarified his prediction. “I think Spain will win the game – and easily,” Ronaldo said. The two-time World Cup winner explained that Spain and France stood out as his favorites throughout the tournament. With France eliminated after losing 2-0 to Spain in the semi-finals, De la Fuente’s side now have the chance to complete their remarkable run by winning the World Cup. For me, France and Spain have always been favorites, Ronaldo said. Ronaldo believes Spain’s ability to dominate possession could prove decisive against Argentina. According to the former striker, if Spain establish an early lead, Messi’s side could struggle to find their way back into the competition. “I don’t think Argentina have the strength to turn the game around if Spain go one or two goals ahead, because Spain will have possession the whole time,” he said. Spain have controlled the games throughout the tournament and are aiming to win the World Cup for only the second time, having previously triumphed in South Africa in 2010. Meanwhile, Argentina are gunning for a fourth title in what Messi hinted will be his final international appearance. Despite predicting a Spanish win, Ronaldo praised Argentina’s achievement of another World Cup final just four years after winning the title in Qatar, describing their campaign as outstanding. Ronaldo’s opinion carries extra weight given his World Cup pedigree. He won the tournament with Brazil in 1994 before appearing in the 1998 edition, where he led his country to the final and won the Ballon d’Or as the competition’s best player. He then completed a memorable comeback at the 2002 World Cup after recovering from serious knee injuries, finishing as the tournament’s top scorer with eight goals, including both goals in Brazil’s 2–0 win over Germany in the final. Over four World Cup campaigns, Ronaldo scored 15 goals in 19 appearances and remains Brazil’s all-time top scorer in the history of the tournament.
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