Spain faces daunting task against Messi in World Cup showdown, says Merino

Neutralising the threat of Lionel Messi will be a "huge challenge" for Spain in the World Cup final, according to Mikel Merino, who will face Argentina on Sunday.

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Messi, the 39-year-old Argentina skipper, has been instrumental in his team's journey to the final, including a 2-1 semi-final win over England where he provided two assists.

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The tournament's joint top-scorer with eight goals, Messi also played a crucial role in Argentina's dramatic comeback against Egypt in the last 16, where they fought back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with 11 minutes remaining.

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Merino described facing Messi as "an incredible motivation" for himself and the team, and noted that playing against a side like Argentina, which has already won the trophy, makes the match even more significant.

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Speaking at Spain's training base in East Hanover, New Jersey, Merino expressed his happiness at experiencing this moment and acknowledged the importance of the match.

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Merino has been a key player for Spain, scoring late winners in the last-16 defeat of Portugal and the quarter-final victory over Belgium after coming off the substitutes bench.

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The Arsenal ace stated that he has "incredible confidence" in himself and his abilities, and believes he can make an impact for the team every time he steps onto the pitch.

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However, Merino emphasized that the team's victory is more important than individual heroics, saying "when you win a title, it belongs to everyone, not just the starting eleven".

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Merino also praised 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.

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Merino, 30, predicted that the final would be "an intense match" and noted that the referee would need to "control the intensity and frequency of challenges and fouls".

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He suggested that the faster the ball moves between the teams, the less time the opposition has to commit a foul, which could be a key factor in the match.

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Merino, who does not have "very clear memories" of Spain's first World Cup title in 2010, recalled the admiration of that trailblazing side and the opportunity to represent their country today.

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He described being able to represent their country and be role models for new generations as "something magical", highlighting the significance of the World Cup final.