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News
- 9 Mar 2026
Lionel Messi makes huge call regarding Finalissima match against Spain
News
Lionel Messi was part of the call to cancel the Finalissima between Argentina and Spain due to the political situation in the Middle East, according to Ben Jacobs.
Both Messi and Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni were said to be against playing the match, the report said. It added that Scaloni refused to play the match while Messi was against the UEFA-proposed contingency plans.
It was also reported that the Argentina FA was unwilling to accept a lower match fee if it was moved away from Qatar, despite the fact that 80,000 tickets were sold and significant sponsorship money committed to the match being played in Doha, Jacobs said. Madrid and Buenos Aires had been suggested as venues for the match if it had been moved.
“After much discussion between UEFA and the organising authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot be played as hoped in Qatar,” UEFA announced. “UEFA explored other feasible alternatives but each ultimately proved unacceptable to the Argentinian Football Association.”
Previous history possibly at play in Argentina decision
Spain’s 6-1 win over Argentina in the build-up to the 2018 World Cup may have been a factor in the reigning World Cup winners’ decision not to go ahead with the match, Jacobs reported.
The coaching staff believed the heavy defeat in the friendly match negatively affected the team in the tournament, despite the fact that none of Messi, Sergio Aguero, Angel di Maria, or Paulo Dybala played in the match.
STATS
Lionel Messi
F (CR)
Inter Miami
Lionel Messi
F (CR)
Inter Miami
Argentina has pre-World Cup friendly matches scheduled against Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. None of those nations are ranked in the top 20 of the FIFA World Ranking, with Austria the highest-ranked at No. 24.
Spain is currently ranked first in the rankings, with Argentina second.
At the time of the 2018 friendly match, Argentina was fourth and Spain was tied for sixth.
Spain was reportedly prepared to take a lesser fee and go along with whichever contingency plan was chosen, but apparently, Messi, Scaloni, and Argentina were less flexible.
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