Mikel Merino Says Spain Are Treating Argentina Final as ‘Just Another Game’

What happened:

Watch the highlights:

Spain midfielder Mikel Merino has described how Spain are approaching their World Cup final against Argentina, telling The Guardian that the squad’s focus is on staying grounded before the biggest match of the tournament. The Arsenal player said the priority inside the group is “being a good human first, then a good footballer,” linking Spain’s run to the environment created under Luis de la Fuente.

Why it matters:

Finals are often decided by execution, but Merino’s comments point to Spain trying to control the emotional load before they get to the football. He contrasted this squad’s preparation with the famous 2010 Spain team, who gathered the night before their final in South Africa with hot chocolate and chocolate croissants. This time, he said, the nutritionists have killed that ritual.

The useful detail is not the menu. It is the mindset. Merino said the main thing is to “normalise it all”: treat the final as another game, something the players have done since childhood and still love. That is a direct window into Spain’s attempt to reduce the size of the occasion before facing Argentina.

Tournament impact:

Spain are one win from matching the achievement of the 2010 champions. The source does not provide team selection, injuries, or tactical specifics, but it does make clear that Spain’s final preparation is already underway, with Merino heading into a tactics room at the Melanie Lane training ground on the penultimate day of preparation.

That matters because Spain’s internal language appears to be about stability rather than spectacle. De la Fuente’s influence is framed through respect and character, not just systems or star power. For a final against Argentina, that suggests Spain are trying to protect the habits that got them there instead of rewriting themselves for the occasion.

What to watch:

The key question is whether Spain can keep that calm once the final starts. Merino’s comments sound deliberately anti-theatrical: no revival of 2010 rituals, no attempt to make the night before mystical, no pretending the final is anything other than football. If Spain look composed early, this preparation theme will feel relevant. If the match turns chaotic, the same comments will be tested in real time.

Confidence:

Confirmed by the source: Merino spoke to The Guardian before Spain’s World Cup final against Argentina, described the team’s culture under Luis de la Fuente, referenced the 2010 squad’s pre-final ritual, and said Spain are trying to treat the final as something normal and enjoyable. Still needing follow-up: Spain’s lineup, Argentina’s plan, tactical matchups, and any final pre-match selection decisions.