Merino: Arsenal Star and Lautaro Martinez Share World Cup Final Challenge

Mikel Merino acknowledges that he and Lautaro Martinez are in a similar position heading into the World Cup Final, stating, "For no player is starting on the bench the ideal game plan."

Spain, with Merino, and Argentina, with Martinez, are set to face each other in the World Cup Final on Sunday, July 19.

Speaking to Gazzetta dello Sport before the match, the Spanish midfielder expressed that neither he nor Lautaro might be in the starting lineup.

"For no player is starting on the bench the ideal game plan," he commented.

Merino: Lautaro and I Have One Thing in Common Ahead of World Cup Final

"However, both Lautaro and I, as top players, find ourselves in this situation because we are part of incredibly strong national teams.

"And both he and I must value all of this: the level of our teammates and the magnitude of the competition."

Lautaro Martinez scored the decisive goal as a substitute in the semi-final against England. Meanwhile, Merino contributed significantly off the bench, netting twice to secure victories against Portugal in the Round of 16 and Belgium in the quarter-finals.

Spain's defense has been formidable throughout the World Cup, conceding only one goal, scored by Charles De Ketelaere of Atalanta and Belgium.

"It’s about trying to help out every time you step onto the pitch, and if you don’t play, it’s fine even in training," Merino continued.

"Because if you win a title, it belongs to everyone, not just the 11 who start the matches, and that’s how we see it here."

Reflecting on the upcoming final, Merino added: "It will be an intense match, as a final should be, where two teams are playing for the most important trophy in our sport. It’s normal for there to be contact, for there to be fierce duels, because when so much is at stake, that’s how you have to approach it.

"It will be up to the referee to control the intensity and frequency of the challenges. We like the ball to move quickly, and without pauses, and if we manage that, the opponent will have less time to foul."

The Arsenal midfielder also shared his thoughts on Lionel Messi: "I can start by saying he’s one of the best in history. Then, you have to take your hat off to what he’s doing in this World Cup, at 39 years old.

"I don’t know if it will be his last international match or his last final, because, as it has already happened with Cristiano Ronaldo, you face these players and you think they are eternal, given they continue to play at such a high level.

"The fact that we are facing Argentina, the reigning World Cup champion, is an added incentive. Sensational."

Spain has achieved an unbeaten streak matching Italy's record, having not lost in their last 37 matches across all competitions. A victory against Argentina in the final would surpass the record set by the Azzurri between 2018 and 2021.