Pique: I will be happy if Argentina beat Spain.

Former Spain defender Gerard Pique, the 2010 World Cup champion, said Sunday’s final between his country and Argentina in New York was “the last game not played in Qatar”, saying it would be one of the best World Cup finals in history.

Pique, 39, confirmed in an interview with Spanish newspaper AS that La Roja is capable of becoming a second star 16 years after conquering South Africa, provided he sticks to his attacking style and controls the ball against Lionel Messi’s Argentina side, who are seeking a second successive title.

The former Barcelona star praised the level of his friend Messi, 39, despite playing in the American League, describing him as “the smartest”, stressing that “his innate talent allows him to find dangerous positions around the penalty area despite his advanced age”.

Pique warned Spain against the “physical contact” that South American teams are good at, noting that Spain have historically faced difficulties with this method, as was the case against Uruguay in the current tournament.

He believed the key to victory was “courage, high pressing and ball control”, warning that giving Argentina spaces close to the penalty area would be too dangerous, especially with Messi, who “always finds a way around defenders”.

He noted that Luis de la Fuente’s side are very similar to the 2010 generation, stressing that “charisma comes after winning, not before”, praising the defensive performance of the team, who only conceded one goal in the entire tournament.

“I hope Spain wins, but if Argentina wins, I’ll be happy for Messi too,” Pique said when asked about the bias between Spain and his friend Messi, adding that he will watch the game with his children on the field after receiving an invitation from FIFA.

Pique said that if the Spanish star Lamine Yamal is crowned the world champion today, his team will participate in the third edition of the King’s League in Milan, Italy, organized by Pique himself.