Latest news with #Finalissima
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
22-05-2025
- Sport
- Business Standard
Messi vs Yamal set as UEFA, CONMEBOL confirm ARG vs ESP Finalissima in 2026
A once-in-a-lifetime football showdown is on the horizon as UEFA and CONMEBOL confirm that Spain and Argentina will face off in the next edition of the Finalissima — a clash between the reigning champions of Europe and South America. The match is already generating global excitement, not just for the prestigious silverware on offer, but for the symbolic showdown between two extraordinary talents at opposite ends of their careers. Lionel Messi, one of football's greatest icons, is expected to lead Argentina, possibly for the final time, at the age of 38. Meanwhile, Spain's Lamine Yamal, a 17-year-old prodigy who lit up Euro 2024, prepares to showcase his brilliance on a grand stage. With history, legacy and generational pride on the line, this fixture promises to be one of the defining moments in modern football. Champions collide in Finalissima showdown Spain booked their place in this elite encounter after triumphing at UEFA Euro 2024, where they overcame England in a dramatic final. Argentina, on the other hand, secured qualification by clinching the 2024 Copa América title, furthering their remarkable run of success that includes the 2021 Copa América and the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The Finalissima — an event first held in 1985 and revived in 2022 — brings together continental champions in a unique celebration of international footballing excellence. The legacy of Lionel Messi As Argentina prepare for the 2026 edition of this prestigious fixture, all eyes will be on Lionel Messi, who is likely to feature in one of his final outings in the famous Albiceleste shirt. With a glittering career that includes the World Cup, multiple Copa América titles, four Champions League triumphs and a record number of Ballon d'Or awards, Messi's presence will lend both gravitas and emotion to the encounter. The 2022 Finalissima, in which he led Argentina to a commanding 3–0 win over Italy at Wembley, only adds to the weight of his legacy in this tournament. The rise of Lamine Yamal In stark contrast, Lamine Yamal — the teenage sensation who took the world of football by storm — became the youngest player to score and assist in a European Championship during Euro 2024, while also earning the tournament's Young Player of the Tournament accolade. Yamal's rise has captured imaginations across the globe. Already a two-time La Liga champion before turning 18, he is being tipped as a future Ballon d'Or contender, with some speculating he could become the youngest winner of the prestigious award later this year. Date and venue yet to be finalised While the match is confirmed, UEFA and CONMEBOL have yet to reveal the official date and venue. However, sources suggest the match will be played between 26 and 31 March 2026, with venues in both Europe and South America being considered. This uncertainty has done little to dampen the anticipation, with fans on both continents eagerly awaiting further announcements regarding ticket sales and matchday details.
Time of India
19-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Lionel Messi: UEFA confirms Spain vs Argentina Finalissima with Lionel Messi vs Lamine Yamal clash
UEFA and CONMEBOL have revealed that the 2024 UEFA Euro winners, Spain, will take on the 2024 Copa América winners, Argentina, in the highly anticipated Finalissima 2025 . The announcement was made at a joint session in Asunción, Paraguay, which was conducted alongside the FIFA Congress. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The transcontinental confrontation, already described as a generational battle, will pit teen sensation Lamine Yamal against football legend Lionel Messi—a symbolic encounter to witness for all football fans. Lamine Yamal to face Lionel Messi in Finalissima 2025 as Spain-Argentina game confirmed La Finalissima 2026 Officially Confirmed – Messi vs Spain | Epic Clash Before World Cup! The Finalissima is scheduled to be a standalone spectacle showcasing champions from the two most prestigious continental tournaments in world football. And with Lamine Yamal's meteoric rise and Lionel Messi's enduring excellence, the match promises to transcend the result—it will be about legacy. Lamine Yamal, just 17 years old, has emerged as Spain's outstanding player, topping the European Championship with dominating performances that helped La Roja win the title. Lamine Yamal has tallied 16 goals and 21 assists in 52 games this season, delivering when it counts in important Champions League and El Clásico matches. At the other extreme is Lionel Messi, the FIFA World Cup champion and aging world legend still working his magic on the pitch in Argentina's jersey. The Finalissima will not only be an elite-class football tournament—it could decide the 2025 Ballon d'Or fight. Yamal is already becoming a leading candidate following a dynamite campaign, while Messi aims to win one more international honor for his record book. Finalissima 2025 could rewrite football's next chapter While the world waits for the Finalissima, the stakes are higher. It can be a final appearance in an iconic global career for Lionel Messi. It can be the beginning of a new era of football for Lamine Yamal. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The match is also a unique and historic event that piques the interest of two world football giants facing each other in a competitive arena outside of the World Cup. Also read: While that may be the final goal, in the meantime there is the very tangible thrill of watching Raphinha assist FC Barcelona in winning silverware for the UEFA Champions League and the FIFA Club World Cup. And as club allegiances blend into global ambitions, all eyes will be upon the game between Argentina and Spain—a match as rich in meaning as it is in depth.
Time of India
17-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Spain set to face Argentina in 2026 Finalissima as FIFA announces late-March window
Finalissima (via Getty Images) Spain's newly crowned European champions and Lionel Messi's Copa América-winning Argentina will collide in the Finalissima 2026 after FIFA penciled the intercontinental showcase into the international window of 23–31 March 2026. The decision, first revealed by Spanish daily Marca, creates a mouth-watering rematch of the 2022 spectacle in which Argentina swept aside Italy, and it places world football's two reigning continental monarchs on a collision course barely 80 days before the expanded 48-team FIFA World Cup kicks off across North America. Spain-Argentina blockbuster waits for security green light with World Cup looming Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) has selected the Finalissima (previously known as the European/South American Nations Cup or Artemio Franchi Cup) dates of March 23 and 31, 2026, for the match between Spain and Argentina. Although FIFA has booked the late-March date, ratification is pending confirmation in its final stages, subject to coordination with Mexico City host-country security authorities and the 2026 World Cup organizers, with the June 11 opening day for the 2026 World Cup in Mexico City. The Spanish newspaper Marca said FIFA will have to secure the nod from security authorities before playing this match, as the 2026 World Cup would be looming. Security partners' approval is the last formality before tickets, TV spots, and commercial endorsements pour onto the market, but fans can already mark late March 2026 for a heavyweight encounter. Delegates from CONMEBOL, UEFA, the Argentine Football Association (AFA), and the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) convened for the first time to plan the men's Finalissima, in which the title winners of the CONMEBOL Copa América 2024 and the UEFA EURO 2024 will face off. At the meeting, major issues like institutional goals, organizational roles, planning logistics, competition timetables for both sides, and provisional dates for the game were addressed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Cardiologists: How to Quickly Lose a Hanging Tummy Health Wellness Journal Watch More Undo Also read: Vancouver to stage 76th FIFA Congress before 2026 FIFA World Cup While Spain sharpens its master plan against the reigning world champions, Argentina's national team relies on championship memory. This Finalissima is ready to provide an appetizing World Cup dress rehearsal—and maybe one final intercontinental clash in the illustrious career of Lionel Messi. Either way, football fans can gather all the excitement to catch the thrilling battle between these teams next year.
BBC News
08-04-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Emery backs 'mature' Martinez after latest hat prank
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery is backing "mature" goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to handle the hostile reception he is expected to receive in Wednesday's Champions League quarter-final against Paris angered France supporters with his antics during the penalty shootout win in the 2022 World Cup final in Qatar, when his save from Kingsley Coman helped Argentina to then showed off a Kylian Mbappe doll during the homecoming victory parade in Buenos on Tuesday he was pictured wearing a cap with a French cockerel alongside images of Argentina's recent triumphs as he embarked on the journey to Paris for the quarter-final first leg at Parc des latest actions, under the microscope at the pre-match media briefing with Emery, are likely to turn up the heat even further on the 32-year-old before the meeting with Emery believes Martinez can cope with the backlash, saying: "He is mature. He is responsible. He is getting better at controlling his emotions. I was working with him in Arsenal as well, before I arrived here in Aston Villa. "I think compared with when he arrived at Aston Villa five years ago and now, he is a different Emiliano. "I think he is more mature. He is a better player, a better goalkeeper and now my conversation with him is always the same. He is one of the best goalkeepers in the world - he got the award for it here in Paris."Emery added: "Now focus on football, focus on individual challenges you have and try to manage as well everything you are achieving and the levels you are breaking. Try to control the emotions it brings you."When asked about Martinez's cap, team-mate Youri Tielemans said: "I don't really care. I'm just here to play the game, whatever happens with Emi, as long as it stays respectful in football terms, I don't care."Martinez's cap carried emblems of Argentina's four recent victories, the World Cup, two Copa Americas and the Finalissima, the game between the winners of the Copa America and the European Champions, which ended in a 3-0 victory over Italy in 2022. Marcus Rashford will also be under the spotlight when he returns to the Parc des Prince with was Manchester United's hero when his stoppage-time penalty saw them beat PSG 3-1, giving them victory on away goals in a last-16 Champions League tie in has been impressed with Rashford's rejuvenation since arriving on loan from Manchester United in January, and expects him to be a key figure again on Wednesday."He is a good guy, he is humble, he is a very good professional player, he is really happy with his team-mates," said Emery."He has been demanding of himself. I think he is playing free. The first thing is to try and connect with him as a person, then after that to connect with him as a player."His process here is getting better as well. He is playing in two different positions, he started as a left winger, now he is playing more as a striker. We want to find how he can exploit his qualities as best as possible with us. This is the process we have, still work to do, still process to do, but the most important is his feeling."We are seeing him smiling. It is the best news we can have. I am seeing him happy, I am seeing him committed with everything we are doing."
The Independent
29-03-2025
- Sport
- The Independent
Brazil sack head coach Dorival Junior after humiliating defeat to Argentina
Brazil have sacked head coach Dorival Junior with immediate effect in light of the Selecao's humiliating loss to Argentina. The five-time world champions were thumped in Buenos Aires on Wednesday, condemned to a 4-1 defeat by their fierce rivals as their World Cup qualification struggles continued. The result left Brazil fourth in the CONMEBOL qualification table, a massive 10 points behind leaders Argentina - who have now booked their place at the 2026 World Cup. And while they remain six points ahead of Venuzuela, who sit just outside the six automatic qualification places, Brazil have come to the decision to call time on Junior's reign in the dugout after a turbulent year in charge. "The board wishes him success in his continued career. From now on, the CBF will work to find a replacement," a short statement from the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) read. Junior, 62, was in the Brazil hot seat since January 2024 but has endured his fair share of difficulties, winning just five of his 15 games at the helm. He also oversaw a dismal Copa America campaign, with Brazil crashing out in the quarter-finals on penalties at the hands of Uruguay. Midweek's heavy defeat to arch-nemeses Argentina acted as the final straw for the Brazil brass, a result that further emphasised the current gulf in quality between the two nations. Since last getting the better of the Albiceleste in November 2019, Argentina have notched four wins over their biggest rivals to no reply, while also lifting four major trophies - adding two Copa Americas and a Finalissima triumph to their stories World Cup win in Qatar. Junior showed no sign of shifting the tide in Brazil's favour as manager, a fact demonstrated in the Argentine capital during the March international break - leading him to be promptly dismissed. Attention now turns to finding Junior's replacement, with Brazil being linked with a sensational move for Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Italian's current deal at the Bernabeu runs until 2026, but he has been backed to step down at Los Blancos this summer following a glittering second stint in the Spanish capital. One of the most successful managers of all time, Ancelotti is the only coach to have won the Champions League on five occasions - lifting it three times with Real and twice with AC Milan. He is also the only manager to have won domestic league titles in all of Europe's big five leagues, adding triumphs with Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain to his extensive list of honours.
