Spain midfielder Merino brands Messi a major World Cup final obstacle

EAST HANOVER, United States (AFP) — Spain substitute Mikel Merino said Friday that containing Lionel Messi poses a “huge challenge” as La Roja ready themselves for the World Cup final against Argentina.

The 39-year-old Argentina captain has been central to the defending champions’ run to Sunday’s decider in East Rutherford. He set up both goals in a 2-1 semi-final win over England and shares the tournament lead with eight goals. Messi also sparked Argentina’s last-16 turnaround against Egypt, when his side recovered from 2-0 down with 11 minutes left to finish 3-2.

“It’s a huge challenge, an incredible motivation for me and the whole team,” Merino said of meeting 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 journalists at Spain’s East Hanover training base in New Jersey.

The Arsenal midfielder has shaped Spain’s path to the final from the bench, delivering late winning goals in the last-16 victory over Portugal and the quarter-final defeat of Belgium.

“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 stated. “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,” he added.

Merino also praised the “impressive” gifts of 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who will oppose Messi for the first time in a contest framed as the past and future of FC Barcelona.

The 30-year-old expected “an intense match” and said the referee would 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 noted.

Merino, who said he lacked “very clear memories” of Spain’s inaugural World Cup triumph in 2010, spoke of the regard held for that pioneering squad.

“Being able to represent our country today and be those same players for new generations — for the children watching us — is something magical,” he said.