It is a confident Spanish national team manager who does not fall into the same trap that others who have met Argentina have willingly fallen into.
Spain’s national team manager Luis de la Fuente promises that his team will not put a bodyguard on Lionel Messi in the World Cup final. “We’re going to play our own game. – On our Live service, you can follow the match.
39 years – and better than ever
Argentina’s superstar has captivated the world in this championship. With 39 years under his belt, he delivers the World Cup of his life – and can both win the Golden Boot and lead Argentina to their second straight World Cup.
Spain, on the other hand, are unbeaten in 37 games – since a loss to Colombia way back in March 2014. They won the European Championship in 2024 and are now chasing history on their own.
But in the way is perhaps the best football player of all time. Still: De la Fuente has no plans to sacrifice a player of his own to neutralize Messi.
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The lessons of the past – a story de la Fuente will never forget
“I’m going to tell you something funny about Messi,” De la Fuente says with a smile.
“When I coached Sevilla’s U19 team, we faced Barcelona in the Copa del Rey. We went to Camp Nou, and everyone spoke warmly about a young boy named Messi. So I put a man marks on him.
“After 70 minutes, it was still 0-0. When the player who marked Messi got a yellow card, I took him off. And in 15 minutes – Messi scored four goals.
De la Fuente laughs at the memory – but the message is crystal clear:
“Does that mean that we should man-label him now?” No. Does this mean that we follow him closely? Yes – but just the way they have to follow our players.
Lamine Yamal – but not “the new Messi”
Spain’s big attacking weapon is young Lamine Yamal – only 18 years old, but already one of the tournament’s biggest profiles.
When asked if Yamal is the closest Spain will get to a new Messi, De la Fuente answers bluntly:
“Lamine should be Lamine. Messi can never be recreated. He is an extraordinary talent – and above all, a role model for young players. His attitude, his demeanor, the spectacular World Cup he delivers – and at that age.
“Sunday will be a big show between two super teams. It will be a match filled with talent, fervor and magnificent football.
– Final every year? Sign me up
De la Fuente denies that this is an “all or nothing” moment.
“The most important thing is to be in a position to win. Let’s enjoy it, play our football and appreciate this. If you said that we could play a World Cup final every year – and lose – then I would say yes to that.
In other words: Spain will not run after Messi. They will let him run – and bet that their own stars shine just as brightly.
