Argentina captain Lionel Messi has expressed his disappointment after the cancellation of the Finalissima match, a clash he saw as an important competitive opportunity before the World Cup, according to ESPN reports.
The Inter Miami captain, who recently won the MLS Cup with his club, was reportedly not involved in the discussions that led to the match being called off. According to the source, Messi had approached the challenge with great ambition, aiming to add another trophy to his career.
The match between Argentina, winners of the 2024 Copa America, and Spain, champions of EURO 2024, was scheduled to take place on March 27 in Qatar, but was canceled due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
“Following extensive discussions between UEFA and the organising authorities in Qatar, it is announced today that due to the current political situation in the region, the Finalissima cannot take place as planned in Qatar,” UEFA said in a statement.
The organization added that alternative dates and venues for the match were also considered, but they were ultimately not accepted by the Argentine Football Federation.
Meanwhile, CONMEBOL confirmed that Argentina had accepted the possibility of the match being held at a neutral venue in Europe, proposing the date of March 31. However, UEFA deemed that date unfeasible, which ultimately led to the match being cancelled.
Messi, the most decorated player in football history, will now await the next opportunity to add trophies to his remarkable career, while the World Cup remains the next big competitive stage for him.