Finalissima: Messi vs Yamal could be played at Real Madrid’s Bernabeu stadium but Argentina aren’t happy

The Finalissima – which takes place between the South American and European champions – could be held at Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu stadium, although the Argentinian FA isn’t happy about the idea. 

It could be that the match-up between Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal might take place on home soil for the young prodigy, although he’s not exactly popular in those aprts.

The Finalissima could be set for the Bernabeu

The Finalissima is a new trophy, but it’s one that is set to attract a bit of attention. 

It will see the winners of Euro 2024 – Spain – take on the winners of the 2024 Copa America – Argentina. 

It’s the European champions vs the South American world champions – Messi vs Yamal – what’s not to love? 

Well, for the Argentine FA, the venue. 

Barring any last-minute nonsense, the match with take place on March 27, and it seems likely that it will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu, home of Real Madrid. 

Originally, the match had been scheduled to be played in Qatar, but with ongoing unrest in the region, the decision has been taken to move it. 

It had been slated for the Lusail Stadium, home of Lionel Messi’s greatest triumph at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, but obviously, with everything going on, that can no longer be the case. 

Getting the world’s biggest stars of football – past and present – together in a potentially threatened area is not likely to happen. 

Which means that another venue had to be sought. 

At the outset there were a few places that were in the frame, including London and Miami, as well as places with immediate capacity to hold the game like Lisbon, Paris, and Rome. 

London actually held the event in 2022 at Wembley, so it could again, perhaps?

Now, it seems that the frontrunner is the Spanish capital, Madrid. 

The Argentinian Football Association has problems with the proposed venue

This is actually Argentina’s second Finalissima, after they defeated Italy back in 2022. 

Obviously they are taking the competition formerly the Artemio Franchi Cup, seriously. 

According to insiders close to CONMEBOL and the AFA, they don’t want the match played in Spain as that would give the home team a significant advantage.

Reporter Gaston Edul claims that the venue has been flat-out rejected, as he posted: “AFA does not accept Santiago Bernabéu as the venue for the Finalissima. CONMEBOL is going to inform UEFA.”

Alternatives include Italy and the USA – although there’s some unrest there too – and the uncertainty doesn’t exactly help the players, who already have a hectic schedule. 

As things stand, it looks like one of the biggest games in international football – as it claims to be – is most likely to take place in Spain, at Real Madrid’s iconic stadium. 

It might not be the ideal place for one side, but it’s definitely a fitting venue for a game between the two premier international sides. 

Argentina will be hoping their visit is less traumatic than Manchester City found it in the Champions League.