- ‘Stopping Messi Will Be A Huge Challenge’ – Spain’s Merino
- Arsenal midfielder insists Spain’s success matters more than individual heroics.
- Merino praises Lamine Yamal ahead of his first meeting with Messi.
Spain midfielder Mikel Merino has described stopping Argentina captain Lionel Messi as a “huge challenge” as La Roja prepare for Sunday’s FIFA World Cup final.
Messi has been instrumental in Argentina’s run to the final, leading the defending champions with a series of outstanding performances throughout the tournament.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the 39 year old played a decisive role in Argentina’s 2-1 semi final victory over England, providing two assists to send his side into the final.
Messi, who is the tournament’s joint leading scorer with eight goals, also inspired Argentina’s dramatic comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16, helping his team recover from a two goal deficit in the closing stages to secure a 3-2 victory.
Speaking to reporters at Spain’s training base in East Hanover, New Jersey, Merino admitted containing Messi would be one of the toughest tasks for the Spanish team.
“It’s a huge challenge, an incredible motivation for me and the whole team,” Merino said.
“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.”
The Arsenal midfielder has been one of Spain’s standout performers during the tournament despite often starting on the bench.
Merino scored late winning goals in Spain’s Round of 16 victory over Portugal and their quarter final triumph over Belgium, earning a reputation as the team’s super substitute.
Expressing confidence in his ability to influence games, the 30 year old said individual recognition was secondary to the team’s success.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
Merino also praised teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, describing the 19 year old as an “impressive” talent ahead of what will be his first competitive meeting with Messi.
The World Cup final has been widely billed as a symbolic clash between two generations of Barcelona stars, with Messi representing one of the greatest players in football history and Yamal emerging as one of the game’s brightest young talents.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s encounter, Merino predicted a physically demanding contest and stressed the importance of maintaining possession to reduce Argentina’s opportunities to disrupt Spain’s rhythm.
“It will be an intense match,” he said, adding 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.
Reflecting on Spain’s historic 2010 World Cup triumph, Merino admitted he did not have vivid memories of the victory but said that generation inspired countless young footballers, including himself.
“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.
