Spain great Andres Iniesta has delivered a clear message to Luis de la Fuente’s side ahead of Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final against Argentina: don’t waste energy trying to stop Lionel Messi completely because “it’s impossible.”The Barcelona legend, who scored the winning goal in Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup final triumph, believes the key to lifting the trophy lies not in neutralising Messi but in sticking to Spain’s own identity and making Argentina uncomfortable through possession, creativity and clinical finishing.Defending champions Argentina head into the title clash as the tournament’s highest-scoring team, with Messi producing another masterclass in what is expected to be the final World Cup appearance of his glittering career. The 39-year-old has already amassed eight goals and four assists, while Spain have remained unbeaten and conceded just once in seven matches.
‘Shutting him down is impossible’
Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, Iniesta admitted that completely silencing Messi is an unrealistic objective for any team.“Shutting him down completely is impossible,” Iniesta said, as quoted by Goal.com. “It will be more about how much Spain can hurt Argentina with their own game, creating chances, and being clinical when they come along.”Having spent more than a decade alongside Messi at Barcelona, Iniesta knows better than most the challenge the Argentine captain presents.“There are no words, or I just don’t know how to describe it. The determination, conviction, and everything he does in every single game is something you just have to take your hat off to,” he said.Rather than devising a strategy solely around containing Messi, Iniesta believes Spain must trust the style of football that has carried them to the final.
Back your game, not fear Messi
The former Spain captain urged La Roja to approach football’s biggest occasion with confidence instead of fear, insisting their performances throughout the tournament have earned them the right to believe.“No, no, never fear. You must never play with fear,” Iniesta said.“I think it’s down to the confidence the players give you, and their momentum throughout the World Cup has been on an upward trajectory. They head into the final with all the confidence in the world,” he added.He also praised the clarity and cohesion within Spain’s squad, highlighting how every player understands their role regardless of who starts.“Everyone knows exactly what they need to do. No matter who plays, everyone knows their role, and they exude supreme confidence. It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch or what position they play; they give you the feeling that everything is under control,” he said.Spain have built their run to the final on defensive discipline and collective football, with stars such as Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino leading the attack. After defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals, they now stand one win away from their second World Cup title.For Iniesta, however, individual heroics matter little compared to the ultimate prize. Asked whether he hoped a particular player would score the winner against Argentina, his answer was unequivocal.“It’s not even a dilemma, because my answer is that I don’t care who scores it. The important thing, just like back then, is that we walk away as champions. Who scores is secondary, as long as it’s the goal that wins it,” he concluded.
