Spain Coach De La Fuente Says Messi Will Receive Special Attention At World Cup

Spain head coach Luis de la Fuente has said his team will give “special attention” to Lionel Messi in Sunday’s FIFA World Cup 2026 final against Argentina but ruled out assigning a player to man-mark the Argentine captain throughout the match. De la Fuente said Spain was fully aware of the threat posed by the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner but believes a collective defensive approach will be more effective against one of football’s greatest players. Speaking to reporters during a press conference on Friday, de la Fuente acknowledged that Messi’s ability to influence games makes him a unique challenge for any opponent.

However, he said Spain would not repeat the strategy of using a dedicated marker to follow Messi, as past experiences have shown that such tactics can fail against a player with his movement, creativity, and decision-making. The Spain coach recalled an incident from his time managing Sevilla’s youth team when his side faced Barcelona’s junior team, which included a young Messi. De la Fuente said he had heard about the Argentine youngster’s ability and decided to assign a player specifically to track him during the match.

He explained that the tactic appeared to work initially, with the game remaining level at 0-0 for a large part of the contest. However, after Sevilla’s designated marker was substituted in the 70th minute due to being on a yellow card, Messi quickly changed the course of the match. De la Fuente recalled that the Argentine scored four goals in the remaining 15 minutes, highlighting the difficulty of keeping him under control for an entire game. Using that experience as an example, de la Fuente said Spain would avoid relying on man-to-man marking in the World Cup final.

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Instead, he said his players would need to stay organised, maintain defensive concentration, and provide support to each other whenever Messi enters dangerous attacking positions. “Messi is one of a kind,” de la Fuente said while praising the Argentine star. He described Messi as an example for young athletes because of his attitude, professionalism, and behaviour on and off the field. The Spain manager also highlighted the level of performance Messi has produced during the tournament despite being 39 years old. Messi has played a key role in Argentina’s run to the World Cup final, delivering several influential performances and guiding his team through crucial moments.

The final is widely expected to be his last appearance at the FIFA World Cup, adding further significance to the occasion for the Argentina captain and his supporters around the world. The veteran forward’s leadership and consistency have remained central to Argentina’s campaign, with his ability to create chances, score goals, and control the tempo of matches continuing to make him one of the biggest threats in international football. Meanwhile, de la Fuente also confirmed that Spain was prepared for the extended half-time interval planned for the final.

He said his team had considered the change during preparations and would adjust its approach to ensure players remain focused and physically ready for the second half. The World Cup final will bring together two of football’s strongest teams, with Spain looking to overcome Argentina’s attacking threat and Messi’s influence. While Spain’s defenders will pay close attention to the Argentine captain, de la Fuente believes teamwork, discipline, and tactical awareness will be crucial in stopping a player who has repeatedly changed the outcome of major matches throughout his career.

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