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Jay-Z appeared to call Lionel Messi "the greatest" while watching Argentina face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final alongside Beyoncé.
The couple was among the many famous faces inside New York-New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford on Sunday for the tournament’s final match. Lipreader Nicola Hickling told the Daily Mirror US that Jay-Z appeared to discuss Messi and Argentina’s chances as the game unfolded.
"We like Messi. He’s the greatest," Jay-Z said, according to Hickling’s reading of the exchange.
Beyoncé then appeared to nod in agreement while watching the action from their seats.
As Argentina continued searching for a breakthrough, Jay-Z reportedly added, "They just need one goal."
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Beyoncé responded, "Boy, he’s gotta score," before covering her mouth as she continued speaking, making the rest of the conversation difficult to determine.
The brief exchange went viral on social media after television cameras captured the couple sitting together in the stadium.
Some viewers praised the duo surrounding the final, while others questioned how closely some of the celebrity guests followed football.
One social media user wrote, "The star power in that stadium is actually ridiculous."
Another said, "The World Cup Final is the place to be!"
Jay-Z and Beyoncé were joined by Rihanna and A$AP Rocky at the match. Tom Cruise, Serena Williams, Pharrell Williams, Matt Damon, Timothée Chalamet, and Kylie Jenner were also among those spotted during the broadcast or photographed at the stadium.
David and Victoria Beckham attended with their son Cruz, while Dua Lipa, Mick Jagger, Anya Taylor-Joy, and Richard Gere were also reported to be in the crowd.
The final was preceded by a closing ceremony and featured the first official halftime show staged during a World Cup final.
Cruise appeared on the field before the match, where he spoke about the 48 teams that took part in the tournament across the United States, Canada, and Mexico. He later watched the game from the stands near members of the Beckham family.
Chalamet also took part in the pregame events by carrying the official match ball onto the field. He later joined Jenner inside a stadium suite.
Serena Williams attended after appearing at Fanatics Fest in New York.
The former tennis champion serves on the advisory board of the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which was supported by the halftime show.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé have previously mixed football with their music performances. During their 2018 On the Run II tour, they screened France’s World Cup final victory over Croatia inside the Stade de France before taking the stage for their second concert in Paris.
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