Merino: Playing against Argentina and stopping Messi is a huge challenge

Spanish attacking midfielder Mikel Merino said on Friday that curbing the danger of Argentine Lionel Messi will be a 'huge challenge' for La Roja in the final of the World Cup in North America.

The Albiceleste captain was the architect of the defending champions' qualification for the final scheduled for Sunday in East Rutherford, after he set up two goals in the win over England (2-1).

Throughout the tournament, in which he shares the top scorer list with Frenchman Kylian Mbappé (8 goals), he proved that he still maintains an exceptional level at the age of 39.

Merino told journalists at the training center in East Hanover, New Jersey: 'It's a huge challenge, and an incredible motivation for me and the entire team. To be able to play against a team like Argentina, which has previously won this title, makes this match even more important, and I am very happy to experience this moment.'

Despite his role as a substitute, the English Arsenal midfielder has been decisive for La Roja, scoring the winning goals against Portugal (1-0) in the round of 16 and against Belgium (2-1) in the quarter-finals.

He added: 'I have great confidence in myself and my abilities, and every time I step onto the pitch I believe that I can make an impact for the team. But honestly, it doesn't matter who the hero will be; the important thing is that the team wins in the end.'

He continued: 'When you win a title, it belongs to everyone, not just the eleven players who start the match.'

Merino praised the 'amazing' talent of Lamine Yamal (19 years old), who will face Messi for the first time in a clash between the past and future of Barcelona. Merino (30 years old) considered that the final against Argentina will be a 'tough match', and that the referee will be required to 'control the intensity and frequency of tackles and the number of fouls.'

He explained: 'The faster the ball moves between us, the less time the opponent has to commit fouls.'

Merino, who said he does not clearly remember Spain's first World Cup title in 2010, also noted the admiration he had for the world champions.

He concluded: 'For us to be able to represent our country today and to be those same players for the new generations, for the children watching us, that is enchanting.'

Regarding the famous photo of Messi and Lamine Yamal as a child, Mikel Merino said: 'Honestly, it's unbelievable... When I first saw that photo, I thought it was an AI-generated image; I didn't even think it was real. But it's crazy how life works sometimes. There are moments so special that we feel like someone wrote them, while they are just coincidences in life. And it's wonderful that two of the best players in football history shared such a photo. I hope that Lamine will also become one of those great players in the future, and I hope we see a wonderful final, with both stars at their best, putting on a great show for all fans.'