First captain Rodri, then coach Luis de la Fuente: Spain’s key players appeared confident ahead of the World Cup final against Argentina, yet also humble and respectful of their opponent.
Not at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, but at the Javits Center in Manhattan’s modern Hudson Yards neighborhood, the finalists fielded questions from reporters around the world early Saturday evening local time, while fans in this massive complex were entertained at the same time and got to see legends like David Beckham, Kaká, and host Rio Ferdinand at the Fanatics Festival, and were even allowed to take photos with Lionel Messi, who was present on stage. They were joined by football legend Tom Brady, basketball superstar Kevin Durant, and tennis ace Novak Djokovic. FIFA is pulling out all the stops. But there’s still soccer to be played on Sunday.
In the days and hours leading up to the showdown in New Jersey, Spain’s national team coach Luis de la Fuente is, of course, being asked how to stop Messi—by his players, his staff, and the journalists. The 65-year-old responded with an anecdote about a time when, as a coach in a youth game, he faced Messi, had him man-marked for 70 minutes, and then substituted the player assigned to him after 70 minutes—with a yellow card to his name—while the score was 0–0. “After that, Messi scored four goals,” de la Fuente recalled. So, man-to-man coverage on Sunday? No, because that would open up other vulnerabilities.
The national team coach isn’t one to be afraid in soccer anyway—not even when it comes to Messi. “We’re flying back by helicopter, and that makes me nervous.” Looking ahead to the final, he said he’s happy, calm in this situation, and trying to enjoy the moment. “It’s a privilege, a luxury, to be in this final.” By the way, the coach revealed that Lamine Yamal, who had been slightly injured recently, took a painful blow during the penalty kick situation in the semifinal. “He’s fine; he’s fit.”
“Work hard, work hard, work hard”
De la Fuente expects a “great final between two superb teams” that are similar in terms of talent and attitude. He has nothing but praise for his team, which has never complained about the conditions at this tournament—humidity, heat, travel fatigue, time zones, water breaks—and has accepted everything, including what will likely be a 30-minute halftime break on Sunday.
Including his time as coach of Spain’s youth teams, this is the coach’s ninth final. His secret? “Work hard, work hard, work hard.” He has nothing but “the utmost respect” for opponent Argentina; coach Lionel Scaloni is, as is well known, a good friend, as is Vicente del Bosque, one of his predecessors and the 2010 World Cup champion, whom he has already consulted for advice.
Speaking of 2010: Captain Rodri dodged a comparison between his team and the heroes of that era, noting that soccer has changed since then, but that the team can learn from their mentality. The 30-year-old Manchester City player is the brain of the Selección, having won the 2023 Nations League and the 2024 European Championship with the team. “We’ve steadily developed; the team has matured over the past few years. In 2023, we learned how to win; 2024 was tough,” said the midfielder, who has regained his former strength just in time for the tournament after recovering from a torn cruciate ligament and a slump in form.
A hunger for victory rather than a fear of defeat
Rodri describes his team as “very well-rounded; we’re tough to beat and don’t have many weaknesses that we keep to ourselves.” He believes they have the confidence to win the final in New Jersey as well. “We have to be more hungry for victory than afraid of defeat.”
For Rodri, too, Messi is the “GOAT”—the Greatest of All Time—but Argentina is more than just Messi; it’s a complete team with top players and the toughest opponent at the World Cup. He’s also well aware of the Gauchos’ comeback qualities on display in this tournament, with their many goals in the closing stages. “That says a lot about their character and personality.” Regardless, only the win counts: “We want to try to show the world that we’re the best team.”
One thing de la Fuente and Rodri agree on is that the team won’t change its style in this final—it will stay true to itself. For many, it’s the game of all games, the biggest stage. For one person—de la Fuente—it’s less nerve-wracking than a helicopter ride.
