{"id":2049572,"date":"2026-07-18T10:54:15","date_gmt":"2026-07-18T07:54:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2049572"},"modified":"2026-07-18T10:54:15","modified_gmt":"2026-07-18T07:54:15","slug":"stephen-curry-makes-his-prediction-for-the-world-cup-final-and-explains-the-reasoning-behind-it","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2049572","title":{"rendered":"Stephen Curry makes his prediction for the World Cup final and explains the reasoning behind it"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_main_microformat\/uploads\/2026\/06\/02\/6a1ea3469a24b.jpeg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article class=\"ue-c-article\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__header\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__main-column\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__header \">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__header-content ue-l-article--expand-right-full-from-tablet ue-l-article--expand-right-half-from-desktop\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker-group\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker-container\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__kicker\">World Cup<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1 class=\"ue-c-article__headline js-headline js-headlineb \">Stephen Curry makes his prediction for the World Cup final and explains the reasoning behind it<\/h1>\n<p class=\"ue-c-article__standfirst\">The Warriors superstar believes Lionel Messi and Argentina have the edge, although he expects a memorable showdown on soccer&#8217;s biggest stage<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__body\" data-section=\"articleBody\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__main-column ue-l-article--minimum-content-from-tablet\">\n<figure class=\"ue-c-article__media ue-c-article__media--image ue-c-article--media-icon-m-from-phablet ue-l-article--expand-left-full-from-tablet ue-c-article__media--main-media\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-img-container ue-l-article--expand-edge-right-until-tablet ue-l-article--expand-edge-left-until-tablet\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1980\" height=\"1320\" class=\"ue-c-article__image\" alt=\"Stephen Curry\" src=\"https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/uploads\/2026\/06\/02\/6a1ea3469a24b.jpeg\"><\/div><figcaption class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption-inner\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-description\">Stephen Curry<\/span><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-source\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-author\">Lapresse<\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar has-avatar ue-c-article__bar--horizontal-from-tablet\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar-body\">\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__byline ue-l-article--grow-from-desktop\" aria-label=\"Redacci\u00f3n:\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__byline-item\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__byline-name\">\n                                SAM\n                    <\/div>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__publishdate\" aria-label=\"Fecha de publicaci\u00f3n\"><span>Updated <\/span><time datetime=\"2026-07-18T10:54:15Z\">                            18\/07\/2026<br \/>\n        &#8211;<br \/>\n        <span>05:54<abbr title=\"Central Daylight Time\">CDT<\/abbr><\/span><\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__bar-secondary ue-u-hide-until-tablet ue-l-article--leftcol-width-from-tablet ue-l-article--float-left-from-tablet-no-margin ue-l-article--move-to-leftcol-from-tablet ue-u-sticky-top-80\">\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools  ue-c-article__share-tools--direction-column js_socialMedia\" aria-label=\"Compartir art\u00edculo en Redes Sociales\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--facebook\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Facebook<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--twitter\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Twitter<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--telegram\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Telegram<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--whatsapp\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir en Whatsapp<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__share-tools-item ue-c-article__share-tools-item--email\"><span class=\"hidden-content\">Compartir por Mail<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles ue-l-article--width-1of2-from-mobile ue-l-article--width-1of3-from-desktop ue-l-article--float-right-from-mobile ue-c-article__subtitles--boxed\" aria-label=\"Contenido relacionado\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-item  \"><span class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-kicker\">World Cup.\u00a0 <\/span>&#8220;Dibu&#8221; Mart\u00ednez: &#8220;Sometimes I cry just thinking about what we have achieved<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-item  \"><span class=\"ue-c-article__subtitles-kicker\">Celebrities.\u00a0 <\/span>Lamine Yamal&#8217;s girlfriend In\u00e9s Garc\u00eda reveals the surprising reason why her TikTok account was blocked: &#8220;I was bitter&#8221;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__body\">\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph ue-c-article--first-letter-highlighted\"><strong>Stephen Curry<\/strong> is no stranger to making predictions under pressure, but this time the four-time NBA champion has turned his attention from basketball to the <strong>FIFA World Cup<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">With anticipation building ahead of Sunday&#8217;s World Cup final between <strong>Argentina <\/strong>and <strong>Spain<\/strong>, the <strong>Golden State Warriors<\/strong> star shared his thoughts on who he believes will lift the trophy.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"ue-c-article__media ue-c-article__media--video  video-player\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-img-container ue-l-article--expand-edge-right-until-tablet ue-l-article--expand-edge-left-until-tablet\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-video-responsive ue-c-article__media-video-responsive--16-9\">\n<div id=\"player_4f08bde6e875c951ddf2fbe4_xapjama\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__media-caption-inner\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__media-description\">Messi was seen taking in his final moments with Argentina<\/span><\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\"><strong>Curry <\/strong>admitted that choosing against<strong> Lionel Messi<\/strong> is simply too difficult, citing the Argentine captain&#8217;s remarkable influence and the momentum surrounding his team.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Speaking in comments shared by All About Argentina on X, <strong>Curry <\/strong>said:<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">&#8220;Who will win on Sunday? It&#8217;s hard to go against Messi! It seems like a faith is in their hands. Sunday is going to be fun.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Although brief, <strong>Curry&#8217;s <\/strong>remarks reflected the admiration many athletes outside soccer have for <strong>Messi<\/strong>, whose career has transcended the sport and earned praise from stars across the sporting world.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Rather than making a prediction based solely on tactics or statistics, <strong>Curry <\/strong>suggested that Argentina appears to have destiny on its side heading into the championship match.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">That belief has become a common theme throughout Argentina&#8217;s tournament, as <strong>Lionel Scaloni<\/strong>&#8216;s squad has repeatedly found ways to navigate difficult moments on its journey to another World Cup final.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\"><strong>Messi<\/strong>, meanwhile, has once again been the central figure. Even in the later stages of his career, the eight-time Ballon d&#8217;Or winner has continued to produce decisive performances while leading a talented Argentine side featuring <strong>Juli\u00e1n \u00c1lvarez, Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez, Alexis Mac Allister and Emiliano Mart\u00ednez<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\"><strong>Spain<\/strong>, however, arrives with every reason to feel confident as well.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">The European champions have impressed throughout the tournament with their possession-based approach, disciplined defensive structure and dynamic young core.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Their blend of experienced veterans and emerging stars has made them one of the competition&#8217;s most complete teams, setting up what many consider one of the strongest World Cup finals in recent memory.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ue-c-article__subheadline\">Curry&#8217;s admiration for Messi is nothing new<\/h2>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\"><strong>Curry&#8217;s <\/strong>prediction is hardly surprising considering the respect he has shown Messi over the years.<\/p>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__embedded\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet-lazy\" data-lang=\"es\"><\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">The NBA superstar has often spoken about athletes whose greatness extends beyond their own sport, regularly mentioning soccer icons alongside basketball legends.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\"><strong>Messi&#8217;s <\/strong>longevity, consistency and ability to perform under immense pressure have made him one of the world&#8217;s most recognizable athletes, qualities Curry has frequently admired.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">The feeling is largely mutual. <strong>Messi <\/strong>has previously praised elite performers from other sports, including NBA stars, reflecting the growing relationship between basketball and global football.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">International sporting events have increasingly brought athletes together, whether through Olympic competition, promotional appearances or crossover media events.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\"><strong>Curry <\/strong>himself has become one of basketball&#8217;s biggest global ambassadors, while <strong>Messi <\/strong>remains one of the most influential figures in world sport.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">The World Cup has also attracted significant attention from athletes across the NBA. Current and former players routinely share predictions, celebrate memorable goals and attend matches whenever schedules permit.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">For <strong>Curry<\/strong>, Sunday&#8217;s final represents another opportunity to watch one of sport&#8217;s greatest competitors perform on the biggest stage.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">His comments also arrive during an offseason filled with speculation surrounding his <strong>Golden State Warriors<\/strong> teammate <strong>Draymond Green<\/strong> and longtime friend<strong> LeBron James<\/strong>, but <strong>Curry <\/strong>has frequently taken time away from basketball discussions to celebrate other sports, particularly soccer.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Regardless of whether Argentina fulfills <strong>Curry&#8217;s <\/strong>prediction, the matchup promises to deliver one of the year&#8217;s biggest sporting spectacles.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Argentina enters the final hoping to add another World Cup title to its rich football history while further cementing <strong>Messi&#8217;s <\/strong>extraordinary legacy. Spain, meanwhile, is aiming to reclaim football&#8217;s biggest prize and confirm the rise of another golden generation.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\"><strong>Curry <\/strong>may believe that &#8220;faith&#8221; favors Argentina, but he also acknowledged that the occasion itself is likely to produce unforgettable drama.<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">As he put it, &#8220;Sunday is going to be fun.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p data-mrf-recirculation=\"Links P\u00e1rrafos\" class=\"ue-c-article__paragraph paragraph\">Whether <strong>Messi <\/strong>and Argentina complete the journey or Spain spoils the party, millions of fans, including one of basketball&#8217;s greatest shooters, will be watching to see who ultimately lifts the World Cup trophy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<hr class=\"taboola-art-mid-script\" data-ue-is-premium=\"false\" data-ue-is-basic=\"true\" data-ue-is-mobile=\"false\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__tags-container\">\n<ul class=\"ue-c-article__tags\" aria-label=\"Etiquetado como:\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">FIFA World Cup<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">Lionel Messi<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">Argentina National Football Team<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">Stephen Curry<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">Golden State Warriors<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-article__tags-item\">Spain National Football Team<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news \" aria-label=\"Art\u00edculos relacionados\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">World Cup <\/span>Lionel Messi finally breaks silence on epic Lamine Yamal baby bath photo: &#8220;It&#8217;s craziness&#8221;<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">World Cup <\/span>&#8216;Dibu&#8217; Mart\u00ednez: &#8220;Sometimes I cry just thinking about what we have achieved<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-item\"><span class=\"ue-c-article__related-news-kicker\">World Cup <\/span>Spain wins the billion-euro final<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-c-popular-links js-featured-links ue-c-popular-links--closed\">\n<ul class=\"list ue-c-popular-links__list hidden-content\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<li class=\"ue-c-popular-links__list-item \">NFL News<\/li>\n<li class=\"ue-c-popular-links__list-item \">Cowboys News<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__secondary-column\">\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__secondary-column-item\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad ue-c-ad--label\" role=\"region\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad__inner\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-world-cup_n_b300x100_4f08bde6e875c951ddf2fbe4\" class=\"publicidad ue-autorefresh-bind\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__secondary-column-item ue-l-article--grow\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad ue-c-ad--label ue-c-ad--sticky\" role=\"region\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad__inner\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-world-cup_n_r_4f08bde6e875c951ddf2fbe4\" class=\"publicidad ue-autorefresh-bind\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"ue-l-article__secondary-column-item ue-l-article--no-grow js-notice-sticky\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad ue-c-ad--label ue-c-ad--sticky\" role=\"region\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"ue-c-ad__inner\">\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-world-cup_n_rb_4f08bde6e875c951ddf2fbe4\" class=\"publicidad ue-autorefresh-bind\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.marca.com\/en\/world-cup\/2026\/07\/18\/stephen-curry-makes-his-prediction-for-the-world-cup-final-and-explains-the-reasoning-behind-it.html&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/e00-xlk-ue-marca-en.uecdn.es\/files\/article_main_microformat\/uploads\/2026\/06\/02\/6a1ea3469a24b.jpeg&#8221;] World Cup Stephen Curry makes his prediction for the World Cup final and explains the reasoning behind it The Warriors superstar believes Lionel Messi and Argentina have the edge, although he expects a memorable showdown on soccer&#8217;s biggest stage Stephen CurryLapresse SAM Updated 18\/07\/2026 &#8211; 05:54CDT Compartir en Facebook Compartir en Twitter [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[226,45],"class_list":["post-2049572","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crawlmanager","tag-marca-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049572","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2049572"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2049572\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2049572"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2049572"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2049572"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}