Rodri issues warning before the final: "Argentina is much more than Messi"

Rodrigo Hernández, captain of the Spanish national team, analyzed Argentina, his opponent in the World Cup final on July 19, stating that the team "is more than Messi" and that, along with Spain, they are "the two teams that play best collectively."

• TAMBIÉN LEE: VIDEO|“No somos latinos, somos europeos”: la declaración de argentinos que incendia las redes

"I don't think it's necessary to express what he is as a player and what he means to Argentina. He is the greatest player of all time, who has been able to lead his national team and take them to win the World Cup in Qatar 2022 and now to the final. But Argentina is more than Messi, with top-level players. We are the two teams that play best collectively. We will have to keep Leo in mind, but also many others," he said at a press conference.

"They are a very complete team in many facets of the game. We have been very solid throughout the tournament and they have shown that they can turn games around. We have to concentrate on who we are," he added.

“No tienen empleo, solo les queda el futbol”: conductor inglés estalla contra Argentina tras eliminar a Inglaterra

In addition, Rodri praised Argentina's ability to turn around adverse results in the final minutes.

"It speaks to a competitive character. Of knowing how to overcome adverse situations. They have a lot of personality and we are taking into account the type of team they are. We will try to hurt them in the way we know how. The team goes through many circumstances, but we have to go for the win, be ambitious to conquer the World Cup," he declared.

And also the fact that Argentina has reached its second consecutive World Cup final.

"It is highly commendable. That speaks to a process of growth and performance they have experienced, of being the most in-form national team in recent years and the team to beat. We, in our process, are trying to do the same and show the world that we can be the best team," he noted.

On the other hand, when asked about it, he responded how they would manage potential "provocations" from Argentine players during the match.

"It is just another part of soccer; we will see how the game develops. I like to think that it is a national team that gives its all and doesn't go down that path, but rather focuses on being forceful and aggressive. If that happens, we have to ignore it and play our own game, without falling into provocations," he said.