World Cup: Lionel Messi shares room again with Sergio Aguero ahead of final

Argentina star Lionel Messi has been sharing a room with close friend Sergio Aguero as he prepares for Sunday’s World Cup final.

Messi, 35, has reportedly been rooming alone at Argentina’s team base in Qatar but has been reunited with Aguero, who has joined up with La Albiceleste after being spotted at training sessions and pitchside at World Cup matches.

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Aguero has previously described Messi as “like a brother", while the latter has roomed alone when on international duty after the former retired.

Messi will make a record 26th and final World Cup appearance against France. Having entered the World Cup fray in 2006, and reaching the final in 2014, Messi confirmed that the Qatar finals will be his last on the major international stage.

He will hope to finish his glittering career by captaining Argentina to their first World Cup triumph since the late Diego Maradona inspired the side to victory in 1986.

And Messi will aim for trophy riches by having Aguero in close attendance. Messi is godfather to Aguero's 13-year-old son, Benjamin, while the former Manchester City star presented his friend with the player of the match after Argentina’s 3-0 win over Croatia. In return, Benjamin was gifted Messi’s No.10 shorts.

Argentinian publication TYC Sports reported that Aguero, who retired from football in 2020 due to heart issues, was staying with Messi in the build-up to the final, with the latter having opted to room alone at the start of the tournament.

On the eve of the final, former Germany coach Jürgen Klinsmann wished for one outcome.

“There are many Messi fans and I think we all are. We want him to take that step and equal Diego Maradona. It would be an incredible story," Klinsmann said during the last presentation of Fifa’s Technical Study Group.

"I think that on Sunday there will be 75% of Argentine fans in the stadium. They have been here for several weeks, they went through difficult times like in the first match, but after Mexico they were able to breathe again.”

Meanwhile, Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has invited players that missed the World Cup through injury to join up with the squad.

Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso was present for their semi-final win over Croatia, while Joaquin Correa and Nicolas Gonzelez were expected to join up before Sunday's final.

Watch: Julian Alvarez: Argentina's Revelation in Qatar