Ahead of the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina, Spanish legend Andres Iniesta gave a live interview to Juanma Castaño, a reporter from COPE radio.
Juanma Castaño: Hello, Andrés. It's nice to meet you. You feel like one of us. And you? Whenever you hear Shakira's "Waka Waka" playing, no matter where you are, how do you feel when you suddenly hear this song?
Iniesta: It immediately takes me back to that month or so I spent in South Africa. Those memories inevitably come flooding back, and I think everyone feels that way. Although 16 years have passed, it feels like it was just yesterday every time I think about it.
Yes, that's absolutely true. I want to tell you something: your presence here is incredibly important. I was just talking to the people around you, and I was saying that when Andres arrives, when the cameras are on you, and everyone sees Iniesta standing there, our morale will all be boosted. We really need you here; I mean it.
Of course, I will go to the stadium to cheer everyone on and send all my positive energy to the team. Like everyone else, I also hope that we can add another World Cup champion to our roster.
What do you think of this final, Andres? I'm a little scared, but I always am.
No, never be afraid. At least for me, this Spanish team, both now and in the past, with its players and coaching staff remaining largely stable, what I feel most is confidence. This team's form in the World Cup has been consistently improving, and now, facing the final, they have absolute confidence.
Does this team remind you of the Spanish team from 2010?
The two teams are certainly different, in terms of players, era, and everything else. But I've always said that this Spanish team gives me a lot of confidence. Most importantly, everyone knows what they're supposed to do. Whoever is on the field knows their role, and they exude confidence. No matter who plays or what position they play, you feel like everything is under control, and you're just waiting for them to finish the game.
The atmosphere in the team now is very similar to what we felt in Pochevstrum and Johannesburg in 2010.
Yes, I'll always remember that experience. Just a few days ago, someone asked me, "Besides that goal, what do you miss the most?" I think the most precious thing is the time we spent living together. The players, the media, the training camp, and the local people in South Africa—everything was wonderful and unforgettable.
That's absolutely right. From the matches you've watched, which players on this Spanish team performed the best? Who did you admire most? Or who surprised you the most?
Overall, what impressed me most was the team as a whole, just like I said earlier. No matter who played or how many minutes, you could feel their confidence and the desire of everyone to be a key player. If I had to name an individual, I think Dani Olmo performed exceptionally well. I'm not specifically mentioning him, but I feel he has maintained a very consistent performance since the World Cup. Hopefully, he can continue to maintain this form by Sunday.
In the 2010 final, we took a lot of kicks. The Dutch were really tough. You even showed me your leg on the plane back then, showing me how badly Van Bommel had kicked it.
Those wounds have long since healed. (laughs)
Sixteen years, of course. Do you think there will be a lot of physical contact on Sunday? Will it be a tough match?
Since it's the final, it's bound to be tough, intense, and high-intensity. The same applies to Argentina.
Really? We don't kick people, Andres.
That's not what I meant. The match will be a test on many different levels. I think Spain will make their opponents uncomfortable with their own style of play. Argentina isn't necessarily going to resort to physical play, but because it's the final, they're just as eager to win as we are. Add to that their overall organization on the field and their numerous midfielders, and I think it will be a very close and competitive match. Spain needs to stick to their own playing philosophy; if they can do that, I think the team will take a very important step.
Messi's performance in this World Cup has been incredible.
Yes, I don't think there are any words left to describe him. His determination, his belief, and everything he has shown in every game deserves everyone's hat off.
Without a doubt. Did you contact him during the World Cup? Did you send him any messages?
I posted two messages a few weeks ago, but I think they should be fully focused on their own game now.
There are 48 hours left until the final. Were you nervous back in South Africa?
48 hours ago, it probably wasn't like that. But around 24 hours, things started to feel different. I think what's really agonizing about the final is the pre-match wait; you're eagerly hoping the game starts. Once the ball starts, you focus on what you're supposed to do, and once you're actually on the court, it's a completely different story.
Did you sleep well the night before the final?
I remember sleeping quite well. For such an important time, I should be considered to have rested very well.
Let me ask you a question. If Spain wins 1-0 like they did in 2010, who would you like to score that "Iniesta-esque" winning goal?
This isn't a difficult problem at all, because my answer is that it doesn't matter who scores. Just like back then, the most important thing is that we become world champions. Who scores isn't important, as long as the goal helps the team win the game.
Maybe that future goal scorer is listening to you right now.
This is everyone's wish. We hope Spain will become world champions again and win another World Cup title. Everyone knows that reaching the final stage is already incredibly difficult, let alone winning the championship.
Absolutely. Hurry up and come to New York; Argentina jerseys are everywhere. I really need you by my side to help us curb their momentum. You can't imagine how crazy things are here. We might have to face everything, even the referee. Laporta told me yesterday, "The referee has to keep things under control, he has to." Hopefully, the referee can really control the game and prevent them from causing trouble.
I believe that as long as Spain can play to its full potential, and such a stage can inspire the team, I am confident that we will have many opportunities to achieve this.
I hope so. Andres, hearing you recount these things so calmly and firmly, and recalling those wonderful moments, I feel much more relaxed now than before the interview began.
Actually, I'm much more relaxed now than before.
Even more relaxed than before the interview?
No, it's much easier than 16 years ago when I had to personally play in the final. I'm much more relaxed now, of course.
But 16 years ago, you were in perfect form. I always remember your physical therapist saying in the Robinson Report, "On the day of the final, when I examined him, I knew that all the pieces were in place." That's the most important thing. You went through a tough World Cup, but on the day of the final, all the pieces were perfectly in place, and that was fully reflected in the match.
That's right, exactly. They are all wonderful memories.
That's right. Alright, future head coach, it all depends on whether you become a Mourinho, Guardiola, Zidane, or Xavi. I'm really looking forward to your new season in Dubai; we're even planning to buy the league broadcasting rights.
Let me first take a look at this batch of "raw materials" and see what I can do with them.
That's right, that's it. Andres, hurry up and board the plane, we really need you here. A big hug for you.
Thank you, give me a hug, goodbye.
