NEW YORK, July 18 -- Lionel Scaloni paid tribute to Lionel Messi ahead of Sunday's World Cup final, urging fans to cherish what will likely be the Argentina captain's last appearance on football's biggest stage.

Argentina will bid to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup trophies since Brazil in 1962 when it meets Spain in the title decider in New Jersey.

"He is pure history. He is a legend," Scaloni told a press conference on Friday. "For him to reach a final at 39 years of age is something unbelievable. That's why I say we must enjoy him."

Scaloni said Messi's achievement was made more meaningful by the absence of Diego Maradona, who led Argentina to the title in 1986. Widely regarded as one of the game's greatest playe...