Merino and Lautaro... What they have in common
Spain national team midfielder Mikel Merino has acknowledged a common thread linking him to Argentina striker Lautaro Martinez ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup final, confirming that sitting on the bench is not the scenario any player dreams of, but it is an inherent part of competition within top national teams.
Speaking to the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport ahead of the anticipated clash between Spain and Argentina on Sunday evening, Merino said: “No player considers starting on the bench their ideal plan, but Lautaro and I are in the same situation because we belong to teams that possess exceptional quality.”
He added: “We must appreciate the high level of our teammates and the intensity of competition within the squad. In such national teams, everyone is capable of making a difference.”
Martinez scored the winning goal for Argentina after coming off the bench against England (2-1) in the semi-final, while Merino played the same role for Spain, having scored two decisive goals from the bench that led his country to a 1-0 victory over Portugal in the round of 16 and a 2-1 win against Belgium in the quarter-finals.
The Arsenal player emphasized that the value of any title lies in teamwork, stating: “What matters is helping the team whenever you step onto the pitch, and even if you don’t play, you can contribute during training sessions. When you win a championship, it belongs to everyone, not just the 11 players who start the match, and this is the prevailing mindset within the Spanish national team.”
Regarding the nature of the final match, Merino said: “It will be a tough and highly competitive encounter, as any final should be. Both teams are competing for the most prestigious title in world football, so it is natural that there will be strong physical confrontations and challenges.”
He added: “The referee will need to manage the rhythm of the match and control the intensity of the tackles. We prefer the ball to move quickly and continuously, as this reduces the opponent’s chances of committing fouls and stopping play.”
Merino spoke with great admiration about Argentina captain Lionel Messi, affirming: “Messi is one of the greatest players in the history of football, and what he is delivering at this World Cup at the age of 39 deserves the utmost respect.”
He continued: “I don’t know if this is his last international match or his last final in his career. The same thing happened with Cristiano Ronaldo; these players make you feel as though they are immortal, because they continue to perform at the highest level despite their advancing age.”
