Spain national team; And Lionel Messi (AP Photo)
Spanish star Andres Iniesta sent a clear message to coach Luis de la Fuente’s team before Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina: Don’t waste your energy trying to stop Lionel Messi completely because “it’s impossible.”The Barcelona legend, who scored Spain’s historic winner in the 2010 World Cup final, believes the key to lifting the trophy lies not in neutralizing Messi but in sticking to Spain’s identity and making Argentina uncomfortable through possession, creativity and clinical finishing.
Defending champions Argentina head into the title fight as the tournament’s highest-scoring side, with Messi producing another impressive display in what is expected to be the final World Cup appearance of his glittering career.
The 39-year-old has scored eight goals and four assists, while Spain remain unbeaten and conceded just once in seven matches.
‘It’s impossible to stop’
Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, Iniesta admitted that completely silencing Messi is an unrealistic goal for any team.“To stop him completely is impossible,” Iniesta said, quoted by Goal.com. He added: “It will be more about how much Spain can hurt Argentina with their game, creating chances, and being effective when they come.”
Having spent more than a decade alongside Messi at Barcelona, Iniesta knows better than most the challenge the Argentina captain presents.He said: “There are no words, or I don’t know how to describe it. The determination and conviction and everything he does in every match is something you just have to take your hat off to.”Instead of developing a strategy centered solely around containing Messi, Iniesta believes Spain should trust the style of football that took them to the final.
Get back on your game, don’t be afraid of Messi
The former Spain captain urged La Roja to approach football’s biggest occasion with confidence rather than fear, insisting their performance throughout the tournament had earned them the right to believe.“No, no, never be afraid. You should never play with fear,” Iniesta said.He added: “I think it comes down to the confidence that the players give you, and their momentum throughout the World Cup has been on an upward trajectory. They are heading into the final with all the confidence in the world.”He also praised the clarity and cohesion within Spain’s squad, highlighting how each player understands his role regardless of who starts.“Everyone knows exactly what they have to do. No matter who is playing, everyone knows their role, and they have great confidence. It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch or what position they are playing in; they give you the feeling that everything is under control,” he said.Spain relied their way into the final on defensive discipline and team football, led by stars such as Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino in attack.
After beating France 2-0 in the semi-final, they are now one win away from their second World Cup title.But for Iniesta, individual trophies matter little compared to the final prize. When asked if he hoped a certain player would score the winning goal against Argentina, his answer was unequivocal.He concluded: “It’s not even a dilemma, because my answer is that I don’t care who scores. The important thing, just as it was then, is that we come out as champions. Who scores is secondary, as long as it’s the goal that wins it.”