Spain midfielder Mikel Merino believes stopping Lionel Messi will be one of the biggest challenges his team faces when they take on Argentina in the FIFA World Cup final on Sunday.
Argentina captain Messi has once again been the driving force behind his team’s success. The 39-year-old set up both goals in Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final win over England and is the tournament’s joint-leading scorer with eight goals. He also inspired Argentina’s dramatic comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the last 16.
“It’s a huge challenge, an incredible motivation for me and the whole team,” Merino said about facing Messi.
“Being able to play against a side like Argentina, which has already won this trophy, makes the match even more significant, and I’m very happy to be experiencing this moment,” he told reporters at Spain’s training base in East Hanover, New Jersey.
Merino has played a key role in Spain’s run to the final despite often coming off the bench. The Arsenal midfielder scored late winners against Portugal in the last 16 and Belgium in the quarter-finals.
“I have incredible confidence in myself and my abilities, and every time I step onto the pitch, I believe I can make an impact for the team,” Merino said.
“But honestly, it doesn’t matter who the hero is; the important thing is that the team wins in the end. When you win a title, it belongs to everyone, not just the starting eleven.”
Merino also praised 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, describing his Spain teammate as an “impressive” talent. Sunday’s final will see Yamal face Messi for the first time in what many see as a meeting between Barcelona’s present and future.
The 30-year-old expects a physical and closely contested final.
“It will be an intense match,” Merino said, adding that the referee will have to “control the intensity and frequency of challenges and fouls.”
“The faster the ball moves between us, the less time the opposition has to commit a foul,” he added.
Merino also reflected on Spain’s 2010 World Cup triumph, saying he was too young to remember it clearly but grew up admiring that team.
“I did not have very clear memories” of Spain’s first World Cup title, he said.
“Being able to represent our country today and be those same players for new generations — for the children watching us — is something magical.”
