On July 11, 2010, Gerard Piqué felt the same mix of nerves and electric anticipation that Spain’s current squad is living right now. Back then, the former defender — now president of FC Andorra and creator of the Kings League — played and won the World Cup Final in Johannesburg. Today, Luis de la Fuente’s team will chase the same dream in New York.

AS sat down with Piqué to analyze the matchup between Spain and Argentina, a final starring his close friend Lionel Messi.

In your pre-World Cup predictions, what were the odds of a Spain-Argentina final?

Spain was among my favorites, alongside France, England or Brazil — Argentina less so. In the end, given how the tournament has unfolded, this is one of the best finals you could hope to see. At last we get to see the Finalissima that couldn’t be played in Qatar. We’re talking about two of the best national teams considering the players they have. It’s a historic final that for our interests could mean a second star, but also for Leo, his second consecutive World Cup, which would close the circle at a point in his career when many no longer expected it and would elevate him, if he isn’t already, as the greatest player in history. And what to say about Lamine if Spain wins — at 19 he faces a unique opportunity to become one of the youngest players to win a World Cup.

To help us understand how players might feel in the hours before the final, how did you experience the buildup to the 2010 World Cup final? Nervousness, impatience for the game to start...?

It’s true that many players on that national team were used to playing high-stakes matches, although that day was historic and unique because Spain had never won a World Cup. I remember the day of the final as like any other: trying to rest and focus to play my best match. Nervous? The usual nerves you get before any match. I don’t recall feeling very different emotions than in single-elimination games, which were winner-takes-all. You need a consistent approach to matches. But it’s true a final is normally different from other games, because no matter who’s the favorite or how well you’re playing, anything can happen: the referee, luck... I still remember Robben’s chance in the 2010 final that Iker saved with the tip of his foot.

Messi always finds the best solution, no matter if you try to stop him, but Argentina is not just him.

Gerard Piqué

Beyond the fact that Spain and Argentina reached the final, are they the two best teams of the World Cup for you?

In football the best team doesn’t always win, nor necessarily the team people consider the best. And you have to ask what playing good football means, because that depends on the style each person prefers. For many, France, by players, is the best — and look where they are; England had a bad 20 minutes and they were out. Certainly, as a team Spain is the best, and I’m clear that if they’re in the final, as Argentina is, it’s because they deserve to be.

You, who are his friend, how do you explain Messi? 39 years old, playing in a league that isn’t top-tier and delivering one masterclass after another at the World Cup.

Because Messi has many qualities, and one of them is intelligence. He knows he’s no longer 25 physically, but he perfectly finds the positions where he can hurt opponents. His talent is innate and unique, allowing him to get into the best situations to be near the box, combine quickly with very short passes or drift to a wing and deliver fantastic crosses. Needless to say, he’s the best at finishing inside the area. He lifts his teammates and motivates them to excel, and one of the best examples was the match against England. I suppose the Spanish national team has taken note of that.

Many say Messi is perhaps the best player of the tournament so far. If he wins the World Cup, would you give him the Ballon d’Or?

Look, I’ve already lost track of what the Ballon d’Or is supposed to value, because every year it seems to be different. It has never been clearly specified what truly influences the decision. Of course he would deserve to win it, and as I said before, it would be the best way to close his circle. But if they award it to him, some will argue they considered the whole season, that he played in a league like MLS... And they’ll probably have a point. In the same way, if Spain wins there will be people questioning whether Rodri should receive it, because although he’s having a very good World Cup, he missed much of the season through injury. Or if they gave it to Lamine...

To win, we have to be more radical than ever in our style.

Gerard Piqué

What kind of match do you expect to see?

I think Argentina will try to claim territory from the start. It’s their style, their way of understanding football, and Spain mustn’t be influenced by that — they have to focus solely on the game. They need to be very faithful to our style. If Spain achieves that, I’m convinced they’ll create chances to score. One of Spain’s strengths is always playing the same way regardless of the score. They press high, want to be protagonists, and keep the ball. If Spain manages to control possession, with players capable of doing so, and then presses aggressively and without fear, they have a better chance of winning. If Argentina creates many situations near Spain’s box, it will be difficult for the national team, because no matter whether you assign one, two or three players to stop Messi, he will find a solution — and if not, the attention on him will free up other Argentine players into favorable situations, because Argentina is not just Messi. It’s true that historically Spain has struggled more against South American teams, and the Uruguay game was an example. In Spain we’re very delicate; we don’t like contact much, because our football is different. In South Africa it was incredibly hard to beat Paraguay. European teams suit us better. To win, we have to be more radical than ever in our style.

What similarities do you see between De la Fuente’s team and the 2010 team?

They’re very similar. Many say the 2010 Spain team has more aura and charisma than this one, but that’s said with the benefit of 16 years’ hindsight. When we arrived at the 2010 World Cup we weren’t favorites to win it, especially after losing to Switzerland — nobody gave us a chance. I’m convinced the current national team, with Pedri, Lamine, Cubarsí, etc., will be equal to or better than 2010’s, but they need time.

Who has surprised you the most for Spain?

I’ve been very surprised that, aside from Pedri, the team plays equally well — and that’s a credit to the coach. I’m a big fan of Pedri because he embodies football. Fabián is a surprise, although he’s already shown at PSG how good he is; or Merino with the minutes he’s getting; or Oyarzabal, who perhaps wasn’t as well known at the European level. What to say about the defense, with only one goal conceded in the whole tournament — that was also one of the keys to us winning the 2010 World Cup. Spain plays incredible football, and that doesn’t mean you must score four or five goals every game, especially not in a World Cup. Look at us in 2010: we won almost all our matches 1-0 and played very well.

Argentina will try to claim territory from the start. In Spain we’re very delicate; we don’t like contact.

Gerard Piqué

Are you torn between the two finalists? Who are you rooting for: Spain or your friend Messi?

Since I retired, I see football very differently. When I played, I defended mine to the death, whatever it was. Now, as a spectator, I watch football like I used to with my father: enjoying it. I hope Spain wins, but if Argentina wins, I’ll also be happy for Messi.

You’re in the United States with your children — what do they say?

FIFA invited me to the box to be with Trump and Infantino, but because the kids couldn’t fit — this is very political — I’ll go somewhere else with no problem, because what I want is to experience it with them. They’re 13 and 11 and are thrilled. They want Spain to win, but they also liked England because of the song ‘Wonderwall’; they love Messi... They’ll always remember this.

And my last question. Today the World Cup ends and soon the one you’re organizing with the Kings League in Italy begins. Tell us details?

This third edition will be held in Milan. If Spain wins and Lamine is world champion, his team will play. There are 16 teams, the best clubs from each league that qualified. There are four Spanish teams. The first two editions were won by Porcinos and Troncos, who will participate again, but watch out for the Brazilians — they’re very good and could pull off an upset. The level of football is rising because players are getting better. Investment keeps growing and we’ll see who takes it.

Enjoy the final and thank you very much.

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