Luis de la Fuente reveals Spain will not man-mark Messi in World Cup final
SokaLive
18 Jul 2026, 14:15
Coach tells of first encounter when Messi was 16‘I took man-marker off and Messi scored four’Luis de la Fuente says he will not man-mark Lionel Messi in the World Cup final, even though the Argentina captain has scored eight times and provided four assists and the Spain coach’s own experience suggests it might not be a bad idea.In the buildup to Sunday’s final in New Jersey, De la Fuente told the story of the first time he encountered Messi, 22 years ago, when the Argentinian was a 16-year-old coming through at Barcelona, he was the youth-team coach at Sevilla and the under-19 cup draw brought them together in the last 16 in May 2004 at the Miniestadi. Continue reading...
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