Messi's Hot Form Soars to New Heights Ahead of World Cup!
Photo by Chris Arjoon/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images Lionel Messi is reportedly among the key figures behind Argentina’s decision to cancel the planned Finalissima clash with Spain, a match that was supposed to take place in Qatar on March 27. The fixture, which would have seen the UEFA Euro 2024 champions face the Copa America 2024 winners, was expected to serve as Argentina’s biggest competitive test ahead of the 2026 World Cup. However, the game has now been scrapped due to rising political tensions in the region.
Journalist Ben Jacobs reported on X that organisers explored multiple alternatives after the Qatar plan collapsed, but they were unsuccessful. Lionel Messi reportedly opposed UEFA’s contingency plans Photo by Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images According to Jacobs, UEFA initially attempted to salvage the event by relocating it to Spain. One proposal involved staging the Finalissima at the Santiago Bernabeu with a 50:50 split of supporters between Spain and Argentina.
A second plan suggested turning the match into a two-legged tie, with the first leg in Madrid on March 27 and the return fixture in Buenos Aires during a later international window before Euro 2028 and the Copa America that same year. Both options were rejected. Jacobs reports that Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni refused to play the game and sources also indicated that Messi opposed the contingency plans.
The Argentina Football Association was also said to have insisted on receiving the full hosting fee originally agreed for Qatar, despite the fact that the relocation would have reduced ticket revenue and sponsorship income. Spain, by contrast, reportedly accepted both proposals even if it meant earning less from the event. Spain’s 6–1 win over Argentina is still part of the thinking One factor behind Argentina’s reluctance to play in Madrid may date back to one of their heaviest defeats in the last 10 years.
Spain beat a Messi-less Argentina 6–1 in an international friendly in March 2018, only months before that year’s World Cup in Russia. The result exposed defensive issues within Jorge Sampaoli’s squad and became a major talking point in the build-up to the tournament. According to Jacobs, Argentina’s coaching staff believe that result disrupted their preparation for the 2018 World Cup.