When Spain take on Argentina in the 2026 World Cup final, one of their biggest taks will be stopping Lionel Messi. He may now be 39 years old, but that still takes some doing.

England found out the hard way that even when his influence can seem limited, Messi can still pop up with telling moments. The Inter Miami star delivered two assists in the space of seven minutes as Lionel Scaloni’s men came from a goal behind to win 2-1 in the semi-final.

Messi has eight goals across the World Cup so far (tied with Kylian Mbappe), while he also has four assists (only bettered by Michael Olise, on five). One former Barcelona teammate, however, has explained how Spain can try to stop the legendary Argentine.

Andres Iniesta Discusses How to Deal With Messi

Andres Iniesta is one of the greatest Spanish players of all time. He scored the winning goal in the 2010 World Cup final, while also lifting the Euro 2008 and 2012 trophies. He played his best club football at Barcelona, winning four Champions League titles and La Liga on nine occasions.

Across his career, the iconic midfielder shared the pitch with Messi 488 times – the most of any teammate. With that in mind, Iniesta will have a better idea than most when it comes to stopping the 39-year-old.

Speaking in New York during an interview with El Partidazo de COPE ahead of the World Cup final, the Spaniard spoke about how his nation can win the game. He states that the task of stopping Messi is ‘impossible’, but explained how Spain can still win:

Iniesta then praised his former teammate, adding: “There are no words, or I just don’t know how to describe it. The determination, conviction, and everything he does in every single game is something you just have to take your hat off to.”

Iniesta Reveals ‘No Fear’ Mentality Needed to Win World Cup

Iniesta – who retired from football in 2024, having last played for Spain in 2018 – spoke about the mental part of the game which is required to handle a big occasion such as the World Cup. The 2010 champion urged his countrymen to banish any fear:

Despite having played in some of the greatest teams of all time, known for the beautiful way they played football, Iniesta also insisted that it doesn’t matter how Spain win, just so long as they get across the line.

He concluded: “It’s not even a dilemma, because my answer is that I don’t care who scores it. The important thing, just like back then, is that we walk away as champions. Who scores is secondary, as long as it’s the goal that wins it.”

Newcastle United have tabled a mega-money bid to sign Tottenham Hotspur star Lucas Bergvall, according to David Ornstein.

The Magpies are looking to rebuild their squad after a disappointing campaign in 2025/26 which saw them finish in the bottom half of the Premier League and fail to qualify for Europe. That has seen them forced to sell Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, earning £170m combined from Tottenham and Barcelona respectively.

Now the club are pushing to bring in replacements to ensure they can remain competitive, having already brought in Ewen Jaouen, Bazoumana Toure, and Seun Steur during the summer transfer window, and the club have made a major bid for a top target.

Newcastle Table Bid for Bergvall

Bergvall, who has been described as ‘unstoppable’, has emerged as a major target for the Magpies, and according to The Athletic, they have tabled a £46m bid.

The Sweden international has made it clear that he wants to leave Spurs this summer as he goes in search of more regular first-team football and a new challenge. Nottingham Forest have seen a bid rejected, with Spurs previously stating that they don’t want to sell the 20-year-old.

However, it’s believed that their recent acquisitions in the transfer market means that they may now be more open to a sale for the right price.

Newcastle’s bid was immediately rejected, with Spurs also having turned down bids worth more in this window, but the Magpies continue to be interested and are considering making a new offer.

The Toon are keen to replace Tonali in their midfield, but are also very alert to the fact that their captain Bruno Guimaraes has told the club he wants to leave in order to pursue a move to Arsenal, who are understood to be preparing a £65m offer for the Brazilian.

Newcastle don’t want to sell the Brazil international, but may be forced to if they receive a major offer, and they are now looking to pre-empt any exit by bringing in reinforcements of their own.

Newcastle Must Move Quickly

Bergvall is widely considered to be one of the top young midfielders in the Premier League following his performances in recent years, and that’s the type of signing that Eddie Howe and Newcastle have prioritised previously.

He has all the talent in the world to come into a Premier League midfield a be a regular starter if there isn’t a place for him at Spurs, and Newcastle could be the perfect landing spot.

However, with so much competition for his signature, and the fact that the club have really struggled to get deals over the line in recent windows, they will have to be efficient and quick if they want to get this one done.

Liverpool remain in the market for a Mohamed Salah replacement, and while they continue to be linked with a host of names, there is only one man they really ought to be pushing to sign.

Salah said goodbye to the Anfield faithful back in May, ending his nine-year love affair with the Merseyside club. The Egyptian scored 257 goals in 442 appearances for the Reds, winning two Premier League titles and a Champions League in this time.

Leaving as one of the greatest-ever players to wear a Liverpool shirt, it’s imperative to the club’s new iteration under Andoni Iraola that they source a similarly productive wide forward.

Whether they operate predominantly on the right or left is not necessarily important, but the north-west outfit must replace Salah’s relentless output. Yan Diomande has been heavily linked with a move to Liverpool, but looks to be set for a move to Paris Saint-Germain instead. The likes of Bradley Barcola, Yankuba Minteh, Said El Mala and Rayan have also been linked.

And it is the Frenchman whom Liverpool should be the one the recruitment department go after and if PSG snare Diomande they may have the perfect opportunity to do so.

Liverpool should go all out for Bradley Barcola

There is a shortage of top-class wingers on the market at the moment, and that leaves Liverpool with a tough decision to make regarding their Salah replacement pursuit.

The majority of the names being linked with a move to Anfield are highly-rated youngsters with great potential, rather than established stars who are ready to come straight in and make an impact.

After Diomande made his desire to join Paris Saint-Germain clear, it was suggested that Liverpool will turn their attention to Bradley Barcola. Developments on this front have since gone quiet, but the Reds should prioritise the signing of the Frenchman and accelerate their move for him before another club does.

Arsenal have been mooted as potential suitors for Barcola, so Liverpool must step up their interest before the Premier League champions convince the 23-year-old to move to North London.

While Barcola still has rough edges, he’s the most polished winger available on the market. If PSG secure the signing of Diomande, the former Lyon man will be left surplus to requirements at the Parc des Princes, surely making him available for Liverpool to swoop in.

Boasting frightening pace, effective dribbling skills and a consistent goal threat, Barcola has the potential to explode in a settled team where he is the primary attacker. In the 2024/25 season, the France international scored 21 goals and provided 18 assists across all competitions, showcasing his attacking quality and ability to produce consistently in the final third – exactly what Liverpool require in their post-Salah era.

While predominantly a left winger, Barcola can be deployed off the right, meaning he can fill the Egypt international’s old role or directly replace Cody Gakpo – who has been linked with Tottenham.

Ultimately, it’s a no-brainer. Liverpool can sign a player who needs work and development, like an El Mala or a Rayan, and take a significant hit in terms of output in the short-term.

Or, they can sign Barcola, described by football analyst Ben Mattinson as ‘elite‘, and improve immediately on what Salah was able to offer last season.

Liverpool need to be prepared to break the bank for Barcola

via Reuters

The concern is that PSG will demand a king’s ransom for Barcola. The French juggernauts spent around £38 million on him back in 2023, and will understandably want to see a significant return on this investment after years of developing the player.

Some reports suggest it may take upwards of £128million to sign Barcola. While this is steep, he is the most complete winger available on the market, and that is the price a player of that calibre is currently going for.

Tottenham just spent £100million on Sandro Tonali, while Manchester City splashed £116million on Elliot Anderson. Prices have never been more inflated, and the cost of signing a match-winning winger is greater than an accomplished central midfielder.

While Liverpool will need to be cautious that the price for Barcola doesn’t become too insane, in excess of £120 million is reasonable given the context of the market.

Additionally, if Diomande swaps Leipzig for Paris, then the Reds should have some leverage in negotiations. Luis Enrique would have a surplus of wingers, likely leaving Barcola agitating for a move.

If he wants to leave and PSG are aware that they probably need to sell, then that should drive the price down at least somewhat for the Merseyside outfit.

Ultimately, however, they should pay up for one of Europe’s most talented forwards.