With their triumphs at the European Championship and Copa America, Spain and Argentina secured another place in the final on Sunday evening – and possibly a very special reunion
Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi could be on the pitch together for the first time in an official match in the summer of 2025. Because Spain became European champions in Berlin on Sunday evening and Argentina won the Copa America again a few hours later in Miami, both nations will be allowed to play in the next edition of the Finalissima.
The competition, which was revived by the relevant associations CONMEBOL and UEFA in 2022, will see the reigning South American champions face the reigning European champions. In 2021, Argentina defeated Italy 3:0 at Wembley. Lionel Messi, who set up the first and third goals, was named player of the match
Is Messi still an international in 2025?
Will there be a generational duel with Lamine Yamal for the first time? Old photos of the two have recently caused a stir. They show the young Messi in 2007 bathing and holding a baby in his arms, who is Lamine Yamal. The photos were taken as part of a planned charity calendar. “It could have been any child from Barcelona,” said Lamine Yamal a few days ago, speaking of a great coincidence.
Though the 17-year-old shooting star of the European Championships has been playing for Messi’s longstanding club FC Barcelona since Saturday, he only made his debut when his former idol had already moved on to Paris and Miami. Whether the 37-year-old world champion will still be playing for his national team in 2025, however, remains to be seen. Before the chaotic Copa final against Colombia (1:0 n. V.), in which he was substituted injured and in tears, Messi had left his future in the Albiceleste open.
The Finalissima could also be a fitting finale for him. It has not yet been decided when and where this will take place next summer. Several Spanish and Argentinian internationals will be involved in the new Club World Cup from June 15 to July 13, which has been expanded to 32 teams. However, Lamine Yamal and Messi missed out on qualifying with Barca and Inter Miami