Football enthusiasts aiming to secure a last-minute seat to witness Lionel Messi and the Argentine national team face off against Lamine Yamal’s Spain in the World Cup final will need to prepare themselves for astronomical financial costs.

For anyone hoping to gain entry into the stadium on Sunday, access to a line of credit with the largest possible limit—or perhaps even a direct key to a bank vault—will be practically mandatory, as tickets for the grand finale in New Jersey have reached unprecedented price points.

By Saturday morning, the official ticket resale platform operated by FIFA showed that the absolute least expensive option left on the market was priced at USD 6,411.25, which only offered buyers a mid-level vantage point situated directly behind the goal. Even those baseline tickets were entirely snapped up by the lunch hour.

Meanwhile, alternative seating options located in the corners of the upper deck climbed to nearly USD 10,000.

For fans wishing to position themselves significantly closer to the pitch, purchase prices hovered around the USD 16,000 mark, while ultra-premium hospitality packages soared to as high as nearly USD 60,000 per seat.

The pricing surge was mirrored across independent secondary marketplaces. Major ticketing outlets, including SeatGeek and StubHub, similarly reflected a starting price of roughly USD 10,000 for upper-tier admission, while specific lower-bowl field locations approached a staggering USD 35,000.

For the affluent spectators willing to pay these steep premiums, the immense cost represents a price worth paying to witness Messi, widely regarded as the greatest footballer in history, pursue a monumental milestone against Yamal, who has emerged as one of the sport's most dazzling young prodigies.

This highly anticipated matchup follows intense preparation, including a final training session where Messi worked out on the eve of the championship game in Morristown, New Jersey.

On the line for La Albiceleste is a fourth world title in their history and a chance to retain their crown; a feat of consecutive World Cup victories that has not been executed by any nation since Brazil's historic tournament runs in 1958 and 1962.

Standing in their way is a formidable Spanish team looking to capture their second global trophy following their maiden triumph in 2010.

Source: AP