Spain head coach, Luis de la Fuente, has dismissed the idea of assigning a dedicated marker to Lionel Messi in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final against defending champions Argentina, revealing that a similar approach failed dramatically against the Argentine superstar early in his career.
Addressing the media before the showdown at MetLife Stadium in New York, the Spanish tactician reflected on his first experience facing Messi during a youth Copa del Rey fixture between Sevilla and Barcelona.
“I met Lionel Messi when he was playing in youth football. It was a Copa del Rey match between Sevilla and Barcelona. I had heard a lot about a boy who was called Messi,” De la Fuente said, as per FIFA.
The Spain coach recalled that his side initially opted to closely shadow the young Messi, but the strategy collapsed after the player assigned to mark him was substituted following a booking.
“So, naturally, we decided to man-mark him at first. In the 70th minute, we were drawing 0-0, and when the player who was man-marking him was shown a card, I took him off. In the next 15 minutes, Messi scored four times,” said De la Fuente.
Based on that unforgettable lesson, De la Fuente stressed that Spain would not rely on one player to contain the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, although the team would remain alert to his influence throughout the final.
“Does that mean we’re going to man-mark him? No. But will we be paying a lot of attention to him? Yes. But no more than they will be paying attention to our players,” said the Spain head coach.
The Spanish manager also praised Argentina and head coach Lionel Scaloni, expressing deep respect for the reigning world champions and describing Scaloni as a close acquaintance.
“Admiration, admiration and more admiration,” De la Fuente said of the defending champions, adding that Scaloni was “a good friend of mine.”
Asked about frequent comparisons between teenage star Lamine Yamal and Messi, De la Fuente insisted the young forward should be allowed to carve out his own identity rather than be measured against the Argentine legend.
“I think Lamine has to be Lamine. Messi is an unbelievable talent and an example to all young footballers. I consider him a role model, but Lamine has to be Lamine, and the best way to help him is to give him the support so he can keep being Lamine,” he said, according to FIFA.
Spain enter the final in outstanding form after conceding only one goal during the tournament. La Roja have also become the first men’s team to record six clean sheets in a single World Cup edition. Following an opening goalless draw with Cape Verde, the Spaniards have won six straight matches, eliminating Austria, Portugal, Belgium and France on their way to a first World Cup final since lifting the trophy in 2010.
The European champions will also carry a 37-match unbeaten run into the title decider and could establish a new record for the longest unbeaten streak by a European men’s national team if they emerge victorious.
Argentina, meanwhile, are aiming to retain the World Cup after recovering from a goal down to defeat England 2-1 in the semifinals. Lionel Scaloni’s side has now won 14 consecutive matches and has developed a reputation for producing late drama, scoring a tournament-high eight goals after the 85th minute.
History adds another layer of intrigue to the final, with Spain and Argentina level on six wins each alongside two draws in previous meetings. Sunday’s clash will also mark the first time the reigning European champions and the reigning Copa América champions face each other in a FIFA World Cup final, setting the stage for a highly anticipated showdown.
