Messi to get ‘special attention’: De la Fuente

By the Editorial Team · Sunday, July 19, 2026

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente confirmed his team will focus on containing Lionel Messi in the World Cup final without resorting to man-to-man marking, drawing from past experience of Messi's scoring ability despite tight defense. Emphasizing respect for Argentina’s skill and professionalism, de la Fuente expects the match to be decided by talent and strategy rather than rough tactics.

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has confirmed that his team will pay special attention to Argentina captain Lionel Messi in Sunday’s World Cup final but dismissed the idea of using man-to-man marking against the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner. Speaking at a press conference ahead of the match, de la Fuente drew on his personal experience, recalling a youth match when he coached Sevilla’s junior team against a young Messi playing for Barcelona.

De la Fuente recounted assigning a player to mark Messi closely during that game but ultimately having to withdraw him due to a yellow card. Despite that defensive focus, Messi scored four goals in a 15-minute span, highlighting the difficulty of containing the Argentine forward through man-marking alone. “We won’t use man-to-man marking this time,” de la Fuente said. “We have to stay alert and pay special attention, certainly.”

At 39, Messi has been instrumental in leading Argentina to the final of what is widely expected to be his last World Cup. De la Fuente praised the veteran for his enduring skill and professionalism, describing him as “one of a kind” and an example for young athletes through his attitude and performance at this stage of his career.

When questioned about claims that Argentina might adopt unsportsmanlike tactics to disrupt Spain’s play, de la Fuente firmly rejected the notion. He expressed deep respect for the Argentine team, citing their recent achievements, including a World Cup title, two Copa America trophies, and the Finalissima. He also noted a personal connection with Argentina’s coach, further emphasizing the respect between the two sides.

“I have nothing but admiration for them,” de la Fuente said. “I believe that both Spain and Argentina will have a game plan where talent and good football will rule over everything else.”

In preparation for the final, de la Fuente also confirmed that Spain had made tactical adjustments to accommodate the extended halftime interval, which is longer than the usual 15 minutes to cater to a prominent halftime entertainment show scheduled for the event. The final promises to be a showcase of top-tier football and sportsmanship as both teams vie for the championship.

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