Spain Face Huge Challenge Of Stopping Messi in World Cup Final, Says Merino

Spain super-sub Mikel Merino admitted that stopping Lionel Messi will be a huge challenge as La Roja prepare to face Argentina in the upcoming FIFA World Cup final.

Speaking to the reporters at a press conference, he said the Spanish team is confident to thwart the attack of Argentina, but stopping Messi won’t be easy for them.

“It’s a huge challenge, an incredible motivation for me and the whole team,” said Mikel Merino.

“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,” added Mikel Merino.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been one of the main reasons behind the defending champions’ run to Sunday’s final in East Rutherford. The 39-year-old set up both goals in Argentina’s 2-1 semi-final win over England.

Messi is also one of the tournament’s joint top scorers with eight goals. He played a major role in Argentina’s thrilling comeback against Egypt in the last 16, as they recovered from 2-0 down with just 11 minutes left to win 3-2.

Arsenal midfielder Mikel Merino has also been important for Spain on their way to the final. He came off the bench to score late winning goals against Portugal in the last 16 and Belgium in the quarter-final.

“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,” said Mikel Merino.

“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,” added Mikel Merino.

Merino also expected the final to be a highly intense game. He said the referee would have to manage the number and intensity of fouls to keep the match under control.

“The faster the ball moves between us, the less time the opposition has to commit a foul,” concluded Mikel Merino.