Spain will not assign a man-marker to Lionel Messi in Sunday’s World Cup final at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, despite head coach Luis de la Fuente possessing first-hand evidence of the chaos that can ensue when the Argentina captain is left unshackled.
De la Fuente recounted an encounter from May 2004, when he was managing Sevilla’s under-19 side against Barcelona in the Copa del Rey youth competition. Facing a 16-year-old Messi, the coach instructed one player to shadow the forward. The tactic frustrated Messi for 70 minutes as the match remained goalless. However, after the marker received a yellow card, De la Fuente withdrew him.
“In 15 minutes, Messi scored four goals,” the Spain coach explained. He confirmed history would not repeat itself tactically, stating that while Spain would monitor the Argentine closely, they would not use a dedicated man-marker. He noted that Argentina would face similar challenges containing Spain’s own threats.
Probable line-ups
Team sheets are expected to feature established starters for both defending European champions Spain and World Cup holders Argentina, though Inter captain Lautaro Martínez and Como’s Nico Paz are anticipated to begin on the bench for the South Americans.
Despite starting among the substitutes, Lautaro remains Argentina’s second-top scorer at the tournament with three goals, trailing only Messi’s eight goals and four assists.
The probable starters are:
- Spain (4-2-3-1): Unai Simón; Pedro Porro, Cubarsí, Laporte, Cucurella; Rodri, Fabián Ruiz; Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, Álex Baena; Oyarzabal.
- Argentina (4-1-3-2): Dibu Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Tagliafico; Paredes; De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Mac Allister; Messi, Julián Álvarez.
Neither squad has reported injuries or fitness doubts ahead of the contest.
Generational duel
The final marks the first competitive meeting between Messi, 39, and Spain’s teenage sensation Lamine Yamal. De la Fuente, however, dismissed suggestions that Yamal should be viewed as the team’s equivalent to the Argentine, insisting the Barcelona forward must develop his own identity.
“Lamine has to be Lamine,” the coach said. He described Messi as an extraordinary talent and a model for young players, highlighting his attitude, behaviour, and the impressive World Cup he is delivering at his age.
Pre-match disruption
The build-up was overshadowed by a disorderly FIFA promotional function in Manhattan, where De la Fuente struggled to speak over crowd noise directed at Messi. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni, visibly irritated, described the occasion as “surreal.” De la Fuente, who was obliged to travel by helicopter from New Jersey for the engagement, responded by emphasising the importance of respecting everyone.
Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić will officiate the match, which kicks off at 21:00 CET (20:00 BST, 15:00 local time) on Sunday, 19 July.