Spain striker Andres Iniesta has given a clear message to Luis de la Fuente’s team ahead of Sunday’s clash. FIFA World Cup last against Argentina: don’t waste energy trying to stop it Lionel Messi completely because it is “impossible.”The legend of Barcelona, ​​​​who scored the winning goal in the final victory of the 2010 World Cup in Spain, believes that the key to lifting the trophy is not to distract Messi but to stick to Spain and make it difficult for Argentina because of its equipment, skill and clinical finishing.Argentina’s defenders enter the competition with the most goals in the competition, while Messi produced another masterpiece in what is expected to be the final World Cup appearance of his exciting career. The 39-year-old already has eight goals and four assists as Spain remain unbeaten and have conceded just one goal in seven games.
‘It’s impossible to lock him up’
Speaking to El Partidazo de COPE, Iniesta admitted that silencing Messi is an impossible goal for any team.“To shut him down completely is not possible,” Iniesta said, according to Goal.com. “It will be more about how Spain can hurt Argentina with their game, creating chances, and being medical when they come.”Having spent more than a decade alongside Messi at Barcelona, ​​​​Iniesta knows better than the challenges the Argentine captain presents.“There are no words, or I don’t know how to describe it. The determination, the passion, and everything he does in one game is something you just have to take your hat off,” he said.Instead of focusing on Messi, Iniesta believes that Spain should rely on the type of football that has taken them to the final.
Bring your game, don’t be afraid of Messi
The former Spain captain has urged La Roja to approach football’s biggest event with confidence rather than fear, insisting that their performances throughout the tournament have given them the right to believe.“No, no, don’t be afraid. You don’t have to play with fear,” said Iniesta.“I think it depends on the confidence the players give you, and their rise in the World Cup has been very high. They are going to the final with all the confidence in the world,” he added.He also praised the transparency and unity among the Spanish team, highlighting how each player understands their role regardless of who starts.“Everyone knows what they have to do. It doesn’t matter who plays, everyone knows their role, and they give high confidence. It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch or where they play; they give you the feeling that everything is under control,” he said.Spain have reached the final in both defensive and team football, with stars such as Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino leading the way. After defeating France 2-0 in the semifinals, they are one win away from their second World Cup title.For Iniesta, however, individual heroics are nothing compared to the ultimate prize. When asked if he expected another player to score the winner for Argentina, his answer was unequivocal.“There is no problem, because my answer is that I don’t care who scored. The important thing, as before, is that we leave as champions. Whoever scores is second, as long as the goal is to win it,” he concluded.