More than 80,000 fans are expected to watch the showpiece of the FIFA World Cup on Sunday at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey when Spain and Argentina compete in the final match of the tournament.
The 39-year-old Messi is the captain of defending World Cup champions Argentina, who are seeking to become the first team to win two World Cup titles since Brazil in 1962.
Meanwhile, Spain is pursuing a second World Cup crown after having won it for the first time in 2010.
After air pollution from Canadian wildfires drifted into parts of the United States, the organisers of the tournament said they are tracking air quality closely.
The White House World Cup task force executive director Andrew Giuliani told ESPN that FIFA is consulting with National Weather Service to determine conditions leading up to kickoff.
US President Donald Trump is set to attend the final, where he has invited his Mexican counterpart, Claudia Sheinbaum.
Read more: FIFA under fire after Messi avoids red card in controversial incident
Earlier this week, Trump described the expanded tournament, which was co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, as one of the greatest sporting events ever.
Spain’s captain Rodri anticipates a physically tough match and that his team will have to be ready for all eventualities, including any attempts to mess with their flow.
He went on to say that Spain has been adapting to various styles of play to prepare for their quest to the final.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told fans it’s exciting to participate in another World Cup final with Messi, and how the veteran captain is making history.
In the meantime, England and France will face off for third place in Miami.
England manager Thomas Tuchel has acknowledged the semi-final loss to Argentina is still “painful”, while France coach Didier Deschamps admitted Saturday’s game will be his last as head coach of Les Bleus, having coached for 15 years.
Also read: Argentina beat Austria 2-0 as Messi sets new record
