Andres Iniesta, hero of the 2010 World Cup final, expressed his immense surprise at Pedri's exclusion from Spain's starting lineup in the last two matches, warning 'La Roja' not to focus solely on Messi in the upcoming World Cup final on Sunday evening against Argentina.

Iniesta, in an interview with 'El Larguero' on Cadena SER radio, said he was 'surprised by that given my appreciation for Pedri and his status as a player,' noting that the Barcelona player sat on the bench in the quarterfinal against Belgium and the semifinal against France.

Iniesta, who currently coaches United Dubai, attributed the decision to the nature of short tournaments, explaining: 'What the coach feels at any moment, the opponents you face, the level of your teammates, all these things are extremely important,' stressing that 'Pedri can play in any position he wants, but the important thing is that the coach has many options.'

Regarding the difference between Pedri's performance with Spain and Barcelona, Iniesta said: 'It's clear they don't play the same way; because they are different teams. I've also heard these comments, but in the end, that's the truth.'

On facing Argentina, the 2010 South Africa champion warned Spain against falling into the trap of focusing solely on Messi, saying: 'Spain should not focus on one player. No matter how much you think about Leo, he can cause you problems in a moment. Spain must remain faithful to what they have achieved, to what they are.'

He added: 'If they succeed in that, despite facing a very strong opponent, they will be the ones completely controlling the match,' praising the current Spanish generation: 'I sit and watch this team and enjoy watching them. They have wonderful talent, it's a very special generation.'

Iniesta did not spare praise for Messi, saying: 'Leo is capable of everything. He has been decisive throughout the World Cup, and his teammates fully support him. What makes the difference is what happens on the pitch, and Messi is unchallenged in that.'

Iniesta stressed that 'everything is achieved through teamwork, even though individual talents have the ability to be decisive,' referring to the importance of balance between collective and individual efforts in crucial matches.