The equation of blood ties versus friendship — Gerard Piqué’s dilemma has come to a head right before the World Cup final. The 2010 World Cup-winning Spanish defender wants Luis de la Fuente’s unstoppable Spain side to lift the trophy. But with Lionel Messi standing on the other side, this isn’t simple football emotion anymore. Piqué wants the trophy to go to Spain with all his heart — but even if the magician named Lionel Messi has the last laugh instead, there will still be a hint of happiness hidden behind his smile.
In an interview with Spanish daily AS, Piqué revealed that quiet dilemma: if Spain wins, it will be glory for his country; if Argentina wins, it will bring satisfaction seeing his old Barcelona teammate have the last laugh. Piqué’s split allegiance ahead of the final whistle is a perfect example of football’s romantic side.
“I want Spain to win this World Cup with all my heart,” said Piqué, backing Spain heading into the final. “But if Argentina wins, I’ll still be very happy for Lionel Messi.”
Piqué also highlighted the strengths of Luis de la Fuente’s side, while offering a note of caution about Argentina’s “number ten” ahead of the final. According to Piqué, De la Fuente’s Spain are playing the most complete and attractive team football of the tournament — but when the opponent is Argentina, and Messi is on the pitch, fortunes can shift at any moment.
In football, the best team doesn’t always win, and the side widely regarded as superior doesn’t always have the last laugh — everyone also has their own idea of what “beautiful football” or “good play” really means. According to Piqué, Spain have been the strongest team in the tournament collectively; while star-studded sides like France have stumbled, De la Fuente’s team has played pure team football throughout.
Still, despite his strong belief in Spain, Piqué stressed that the true challenge in the final is Messi himself. He candidly admitted that Spain’s biggest task will be containing Argentina’s “number ten.”
Praising Messi’s footballing intelligence, the former Barcelona defender said, “Messi’s greatest quality is his football brain. He knows very well that he’s no longer 25. But no one understands better than him which position on the pitch will hurt the opponent most. That’s a rare, innate gift.”
Piqué warned Spain further, adding, “It won’t help to use one, two, or three defenders to stop Messi — he’ll still find a way through.”
At 1am Bangladesh time, two of world football’s great powers will battle for supremacy — on one side, De la Fuente’s unstoppable Spanish fortress; on the other, Lionel Messi facing off against Lamine Yamal, a royal duel between two magicians from two different generations.
