Mikel Merino and Lautaro Martinez, two absolute studs, might not even see their names on the starting sheet for the World Cup Final tomorrow, Sunday, July 19. Talk about a gut punch for any player! The Arsenal midfielder, Merino, was straight up about it when he spoke to Gazzetta dello Sport, admitting that for any pro, “starting on the bench is not the ideal game plan.” He gets it, Martinez gets it, and honestly, every single player out there fighting for the biggest trophy in sports totally gets it.
When Your Superstars Are Bench Warmers… But Still Superstars
So you’ve got Spain’s Merino and Argentina’s Martinez, both potentially kicking off the World Cup Final from the sidelines. What kind of wild situation is that? Merino nailed it though: both of them are in this spot because they’re part of “incredibly strong national teams” stacked with “top players.” It speaks volumes about the depth these squads have, and Merino made sure to point out that they “must value all of this: the level of our teammates and the magnitude of the competition.” It’s not just about ego, it’s about the whole darn team bringing home the title. Spain, by the way, has only given up one goal all tournament, and that was to Charles De Ketelaere from Belgium. That defense is locked down.
The Game-Changers Coming Off the Bench
But here’s where it gets even crazier: these guys are proving you don’t need to start to be the hero. Lautaro Martinez, dude, he came off the bench in the semi-final against England and absolutely delivered the winning goal. Clutch city! And Merino? He’s done it twice! He subbed in and snagged two goals, pushing Spain to victories against Portugal in the Round of 16 and then Belgium in the quarter-finals. So yeah, they might not be starting, but they are absolutely game-changers when they step onto that pitch. Merino said it best: “It’s about trying to help out every time you step onto the pitch.” He even mentioned helping out “in training,” because if you win a title, “it belongs to everyone, not just the 11 who start the matches.” That’s the mindset you need for a championship run.
Tomorrow’s final? Merino expects an “intense match, as a final should be,” with “fierce duels” and plenty of contact because, let’s be real, the “most important trophy in our sport” is on the line. He also dropped some wisdom on Lionel Messi, calling him “one of the best in history” and saying we all have to “take your hat off to what he’s doing in this World Cup, at 39 years old.” Whether it’s Messi’s last dance or not, this final is going to be epic. What an absolute battle this is going to be for the biggest prize in soccer, and all eyes will be on who steps up, starter or not!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
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