The midfielder praised Messi's influence but said Argentina's success is built on much more than their legendary captain.

"I don't think there's any need to explain what Messi is as a player or for Argentina," Rodri said. "For me, he's the best of all time. He led them to win the World Cup in Qatar.

"Argentina are much more than just Messi. They have players of a very high level. We're the two teams that play the best collective football."

Rodri said Spain's place in the final is the reward for years of steady progress under a talented generation of players.

"We've come through a gradual process of growth," he said. "We've seen a team that's maturing. I said this team would make headlines.

"The path to the biggest achievement has been the one we've taken. First the Nations League, then the European Championship, and now we have a great challenge ahead to make this generation unforgettable."

Spain travelled to North America believing they could lift the trophy and Rodri said nothing has changed ahead of Sunday's final.

"Our objective when we came here was to win the World Cup and we knew it was possible," he said. "Now we're facing the team that has been in the best form in recent years.

"I told the players before the semi-finals that we had to want to win more than we feared losing."

Rodri also spoke about the responsibility of captaining Spain, saying he has learned plenty from those who previously wore the armband.

"It's my turn to be captain now," he said. "I've learned from the previous captains because it's a complex role. Your team-mates look to you in difficult moments, but apart from that, we're still a very mature team."

The Manchester City midfielder expects a tough contest against an Argentina side that has reached another World Cup final through determination and consistency.

"Argentina have a competitive character that reflects their personality," he said. "The match could go through many different scenarios. We have to be ourselves throughout the game and always play to win.

"Reaching two World Cup finals says everything about their level. They're the most in-form national team in recent years and we're trying to achieve the same."

Rodri also looked back at Spain's 2010 World Cup triumph, saying that victory proved anything is possible with the right belief.

"A lot of time has passed, but we can still take the mentality from that team," he said. "They went after something that once seemed impossible for our country."

He added that becoming world champions remains the greatest achievement any player can experience.

"The greatest thing is to be world champion," he said. "Everything is part of a process. The key is believing you can achieve the biggest goals."

Rodri expects Sunday's final to demand different qualities from Spain, with the midfield battle likely to play a major role.

"We don't have just one style of play," he said. "We haven't played the same way in every match. This game will probably be more physical. We know how to adapt, whether that's keeping possession or attacking on the counter.

"I think football is often decided in midfield. Both teams have great midfields, so it will be an important area."

He also urged his team-mates to remain disciplined if emotions boil over during the final.

"Argentina are a team that give everything," Rodri said. "If the game becomes aggressive, we have to ignore it and not get drawn into provocations."

Rodri warns Spain to expect more than Lionel Messi in World Cup final