Spain and Argentina are set to clash in the Finalissima on March 27, a matchup that will showcase Lamine Yamal facing off against Lionel Messi for the very first time.
This event, featuring the champions of Europe against the champions of South America, will be held at Lusail Stadium in Qatar—a venue where Argentina triumphed in the World Cup in 2022.
This marks the fourth occurrence of the Finalissima, yet it is only the second time this trophy has been contested in this century.
The world champions, Argentina, currently hold the trophy after their 3-0 victory over Italy at Wembley in 2022.
France claimed the first edition of the tournament when it was referred to as the Artemio Franchi Cup, defeating Uruguay in 1985, with Argentina winning the trophy in 1993 after a penalty shootout against Denmark.
The match between Spain and Argentina will witness Barcelona sensation Yamal going up against Inter Miami CF‘s Messi for the first time in Yamal’s burgeoning career.
At just 18, Yamal has frequently been likened to the 38-year-old Messi due to their similar pathways at Barça, as both players operate from the right wing, are left-footed, and don the No. 10 jersey.
The Spanish international has tried to downplay these comparisons, stating he has no aspirations to be the next Messi, as he concentrates on his own development.
«I have great respect for him, for what he’s accomplished and for what he represents in football. If we meet on the pitch, there will be mutual respect because we are both players, and to me, he’s the greatest of all time,» Yamal remarked last month.
«He understands that I’m a player as well and I respect him; this is mutual respect. We’re both aware that I don’t aim to be Messi and Messi knows I’m not trying to be him. I want to carve my own path, and that’s my focus.»
Nonetheless, it won’t be the first encounter between the two. Messi notably appeared with a young Yamal in a charity calendar from 2007, images that gained fame during Euro 2024 as Spain was crowned European champions.
There are also images of a younger Yamal with Messi at Barça’s training facility, when Yamal was part of the youth academy and Messi was already a first-team player.
The upcoming Spain-Argentina match is also taking place in close proximity to next summer’s World Cup across the United States, Canada, and Mexico, with both nations considered favorites to snag the title when the tournament begins.
