Scaloni wants Argentina to win it for the fans

Argentina may already have scaled the summit of world football in Qatar, but the reigning champions have shown throughout this World Cup that lifting the trophy once has done little to dull their appetite for another. 

If anything, coach Lionel Scaloni believes the Albiceleste's relentless pursuit of back-to-back titles has been fuelled by the people they represent.

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Standing one win away from retaining their crown, Argentina will take on European champions Spain in Monday's World Cup final in New Jersey, carrying not only the weight of expectation but also the emotional backing of a fanbase that has driven them through another remarkable campaign.

Questions had lingered before the tournament over whether a side that had already conquered the world would possess the same edge. Argentina's response has come on the pitch, repeatedly recovering from early setbacks with the resilience that has defined the Scaloni era.

For the Argentina coach, the answer lies beyond tactics or trophies.

"You see your people, how they celebrate, how they are happy, that gets you, it's impossible for it not to touch your heart," Scaloni told reporters on Saturday.

The emotional connection between team and supporters, he said, remains the driving force behind Argentina's quest for their fourth World Cup.

"At the end we play for them, the team plays for the country, for their family," he said. "The fans of Boca and River hug and celebrate together in front of the TV – how can that not affect you?"

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez echoed his manager's sentiments.

"The fans are absolutely crazy, different to other countries, seeing them celebrate at 2am in the cold Argentine weather means a lot," Martinez said. "We are going to do our best to bring back the cup to our country."

The Aston Villa goalkeeper admitted he has enjoyed this World Cup even more than the triumphant campaign in Qatar four years ago, recalling how painful Argentina's shock 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in their opening match had been before they went on to lift the trophy.

Argentina's preparations for the final have not been the way they would have liked. After Thursday's semifinal victory over England in Atlanta, they have been left with a day less to recover than Spain.

"We don't have much time to train," Scaloni said. "Last night we arrived at 11pm, tomorrow will be busy. I'll speak to them and see how they are but in principle they are all good."

Awaiting them is a fascinating clash of styles -- Argentina's intensity, passion, and Lionel Messi against a Spain side wich have transformed possession into an art form under the guidance of teenage sensation Lamine Yamal.

For Messi, now 39, Monday's final offers another opportunity to add yet another chapter to a glittering career that has continually defied the passage of time.

"To be able to arrive at a final as he has at 39 I think is something incredible," Scaloni said.

"We have to value what he does... He has managed something that years ago was not thought possible. It wasn't easy to get to this point, and to compete at this level. I hope we win, but if not, he'll still be an example for all."

Asked whether it could be Messi's final World Cup appearance, Scaloni could only laugh.

"How do I know!"

Regardless of whether it proves to be Messi's last dance on football's biggest stage, Argentina have already made one thing clear during their title defence -- conquering the world once did not satisfy them. 

With a nation urging them on from thousands of miles away, the world champions now stand 90 minutes from proving that their greatest motivation was never the trophy they already had, but the joy of bringing it home once more.