Get you up to speed: Tackling Messi ‘huge challenge’ for Spain in World Cup final: Merino
Spain’s Mikel Merino acknowledged the challenge of neutralising Lionel Messi as the two teams prepare for the World Cup final in East Rutherford, New Jersey. Messi played a crucial role in guiding Argentina to the final, contributing with two assists in a 2-1 semifinal victory over England.
Spain’s training camp is located in East Hanover, New Jersey, as they prepare for the World Cup final. The match against Argentina, where both teams are aiming for the title, will take place on Sunday in East Rutherford.
Mikel Merino acknowledged the significant challenge of neutralising Lionel Messi in the upcoming World Cup final, emphasising the motivation it provides for the Spanish team. He called for the referee to manage the match’s intensity, indicating that an effective officiating approach will be crucial for a successful showdown against Argentina.
What remains unclear — It is not specified how Spain plans to strategically counter Lionel Messi’s influence in the match.
Spain faces significant challenge in neutralising Messi for World Cup final, says Merino
Sport|World Cup 2026Tackling Messi ‘huge challenge’ for Spain in World Cup final: Merino
Spanish midfielder says he has ‘huge confidence’ in his abilities after his impressive performances as a substitute.
Published On 17 Jul 202617 Jul 2026
Spanish super-sub Mikel Merino admitted that neutralising the threat of Lionel Messi will be a “huge challenge” as La Roja prepare for their World Cup final showdown against Argentina.
“It’s a huge challenge, an incredible motivation for me and the whole team,” Merino said of facing Messi in his news conference on Friday.
“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,” Merino told reporters at Spain’s training base in East Hanover, New Jersey.
Argentina skipper Messi, 39, has been pivotal in dragging the defending champions into Sunday’s final in East Rutherford, orchestrating a 2-1 semifinal victory over England with two assists.
Messi, the tournament’s joint top-scorer with eight goals, also inspired a dramatic comeback against Egypt in the last 16, when Argentina fought back from 2-0 down with 11 minutes remaining to win 3-2.
Arsenal ace Merino has played a decisive role in Spain’s road to the final, coming off the substitutes’ bench to score late winners in a last-16 defeat of Portugal and a quarterfinal victory over 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 11,” he added.
Merino, meanwhile, enthused about the “impressive” talent of 19-year-old Lamine Yamal, who will face Messi for the first time in a clash representing the past and the future of FC Barcelona.
Merino, 30, predicted that the final would be “an intense match” and that the referee would need 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.
The midfielder, who said he did not have “very clear memories” of Spain’s first World Cup title in 2010, recalled the admiration of that trailblazing side.
“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.
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