Four years after the Lionel Messi festival at Wembley, during the 2022 Finalissima between Argentina and Italy (3-0), the Ballon d’Or record holder will try to lift this honorary trophy once again. As a reminder, UEFA and Conmebol (the South American confederation) have resurrected the Artemio-Franchi Cup, named after a former UEFA president, which opposes the title holders of the Euro and the Copa América.
There had been two editions until then and Michel Platini’s France won the match against Uruguay in 1985 at the Parc des Princes (2-0, goals from Dominique Rocheteau and José Touré). In 93, Diego Maradona’s Argentina dominated Peter Schmeichel’s Denmark in Mar del Plata (1-1, 5 tab to 4).
Respectively winners of Euro 2024 and the Copa América 2024, Spain and Argentina will face each other during the international window in March 2026. Leo Messi’s Albiceleste quickly qualified for the World Cup 26 and La Roja waited until the last day, in November, to validate their ticket for North America (and therefore avoid the play-offs next March).
Messi against Lamine Yamal?
It is Qatar which will host the Finalissima 2026, as indicated by the Argentine press. The 2022 world champions will return to Lusail Stadium, the huge stadium near Doha where they won the tercera (their country’s third world title) during a certain final concluded on penalties against the French team. Three months before his last World Cup, Messi will probably be there even though he will have resumed with four MLS matches (the 2026 season begins on February 21).
Unless there is a real injury, FC Barcelona will be obliged to release its prodigy Lamine Yamal, who missed the last two meetings of the Spanish Seleccion. A new title is at stake and Spain remains in a Nations League final lost on penalties against Cristiano Ronaldo’s Portugal. The 18-year-old dribbler didn’t shine…
