Madrid: Spain legend Andres Iniesta has warned that completely stopping Lionel Messi will be "impossible" in Monday's FIFA World Cup final against Argentina, urging La Roja to focus on imposing their own game rather than trying to neutralise the Argentine captain.
Spain head into the final unbeaten after conceding just one goal in seven matches, while defending champions Argentina arrive as the tournament's highest-scoring team, with Messi contributing eight goals and four assists.
Iniesta, who scored Spain's winning goal in the 2010 FIFA World Cup final, believes Luis de la Fuente's side must concentrate on creating problems for Argentina instead of trying to eliminate Messi from the game.
"Shutting him down completely is impossible. It will be more about how much Spain can hurt Argentina with their own game, creating chances, and being clinical when they come along," Iniesta said in an interview with El Partidazo de COPE, as quoted by Goal.com.
The former Barcelona midfielder also praised his longtime club teammate, saying Messi continues to perform at an extraordinary level despite playing what is expected to be the final World Cup of his career.
"There are no words, or I just don't know how to describe it. The determination, conviction, and everything he does in every single game is something you just have to take your hat off to," he said.
While acknowledging the challenge posed by the defending champions, Iniesta urged Spain's players to approach the final with confidence rather than fear.
"No, no, never fear. You must never play with fear. I think it's down to the confidence the players give you, and their momentum throughout the World Cup has been on an upward trajectory. They head into the final with all the confidence in the world," he said.
"Everyone knows exactly what they need to do. No matter who plays, everyone knows their role, and they exude supreme confidence. It doesn't matter who is on the pitch or what position they play; they give you the feeling that everything is under control," he added.
Spain booked their place in the final with a 2-0 victory over France in the semi-finals and have combined a disciplined defence with an attack led by Mikel Oyarzabal, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Merino. They will now aim to deny Argentina a second successive World Cup title and lift the trophy for the first time since 2010.
Asked whether it would matter who scored the winning goal if Spain beat Argentina, Iniesta said only the result mattered.
"It's not even a dilemma, because my answer is that I don't care who scores it. The important thing, just like back then, is that we walk away as champions. Who scores is secondary, as long as it's the goal that wins it."
With IANS inputs