‘It’s impossible to switch Messi off’: Andres Iniesta reveals what Spain need to do against Argentina in World Cup final
Spain team; and Lionel Messi (AP Photos) Spanish great Andres Iniesta has sent a clear message to Luis de la Fuente’s side ahead of Sunday’s World Cup final against Argentina: don’t waste your 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 triumph, believes the key to lifting the trophy lies not in neutralizing Messi, but in clinging to Spain’s own identity and making Argentina uncomfortable through possession, creativity and clinical finishing.Defending champions Argentina head into the title race as the tournament’s top-scoring team, with Messi putting in another master class performance in what is expected to be the final World Cup appearance of his glittering career. The 39-year-old has already bagged eight goals and four assists as Spain remain unbeaten and conceded just once in seven matches.
“It’s impossible to close it”
In an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, Iniesta admitted that completely silencing Messi is an unrealistic goal for any team.“To shut 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 play, creating chances and being clinical when they come.”Having spent more than a decade alongside Messi at Barcelona, Iniesta knows better than most the challenges the Argentina captain presents.“There are no words or I just don’t know how to describe it. The determination, the belief and everything that he does every game is something that you just have to take your hat off to,” he said.Rather than devising a strategy solely around Messi, Iniesta believes Spain must trust the style of football that took them to the final.
Support your game, don’t be afraid of Messi
The former Spain captain urged La Roja to approach football’s biggest event with confidence instead of fear, insisting their performances throughout the tournament have earned them the right to believe.“No, no, never be afraid. You must never play with fear,” said Iniesta.“I think it’s about the confidence the players give you and their momentum throughout the World Cup has been on an upward trajectory. They’re heading into the final with all the confidence in the world,” he added.He also praised the clarity and cohesion in the Spanish squad, highlighting how each player understands their role regardless of who starts.“Everyone knows exactly what to do. No matter who is playing, everyone knows their role and exudes supreme confidence. It doesn’t matter who is on the pitch or what position they are playing; they give you the feeling that everything is under control,” he said.Spain built their progress to the finals on defensive discipline and collective football, with stars like Lamine Yamal, Mikel Oyarzabal and Mikel Merino leading the attack. They are now one win away from their second World Cup title after beating France 2-0 in the semi-finals.However, for Iniesta, individual heroics do not matter compared to the ultimate price. When asked if 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, as it was then, is that we leave as champions. Who scores is secondary, as long as it’s the winning goal,” he concluded.