Iniesta: Spain Must Not Obsess Over Messi, But Play Their Own Game

Spanish football hero Andrés Iniesta, the man who famously heard silence in his moment of ultimate triumph, reflects 16 years later on his World Cup-winning goal in Johannesburg and calls for a successor to emerge from the national team's ranks. The former Barcelona midfield maestro, who scored the decisive goal for "La Furia" in the 2010 final against the Netherlands, spoke to "Mundo Deportivo" and "El Mundo," sharing his expectations for the upcoming final.

Iniesta outlined what Luis de la Fuente's players need to do to defeat Argentina: "Spain must stay true to themselves and not obsess over one player. No matter how much you think about Leo Messi, in a second where you're not alert, he can surprise you. Spain must stick to what they've been doing and who they are. If they achieve that, despite facing a very tough opponent, they will steer the match in their desired direction."

Regarding Messi, he offered no shortage of praise, as expected: "Leo is capable of anything; he was decisive throughout the entire World Cup, and his teammates are ready to die for him. He is beyond any discussion; the difference is made by what happens on the pitch, and there, Messi is undisputed."

The goalscorer in the final that brought Spain its only World Cup title to date has no preference for which of his compatriots should "succeed" him and score tomorrow's winning goal: "Anyone from Spain. It doesn't matter to me. The important thing is to score a goal and for them to experience that indescribable feeling I had. As I've always said, we all scored that goal."

Iniesta refrained from making a prediction for the big match: "It's impossible to predict anything. A final, like any football match, is subject to many small details that can determine the outcome. And on Sunday – even more so, because you don't just depend on the game itself, but also on emotional factors. The only thing I know is that Spain must remain true to the identity and style that brought them this far. That is the path that can lead them to the title."

Iniesta also commented again on his former Barcelona teammate and Argentina superstar, Leo Messi: "I think Leo will understand me. Spain is playing, my country, my people are playing, my teammates are playing. This is a unique match, and I would love for these players to have the opportunity to experience what we did."

The World Cup final between Spain and Argentina will take place at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, USA, on July 19th.