Messi and Argentina have a replacement for the Finalissima
The Argentina national team will play a friendly match at home on March 31, as confirmed by the AFA. The match replaces the recently canceled Finalissima, which was set to feature Lionel Messi’s team against Spain.
The Argentina national team will play a friendly match at home against Guatemala on March 31, as confirmed by the AFA. The match replaces the recently canceled Finalissima, which was set to feature Lionel Messi’s team against Spain.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni will lead a week of intensive training sessions ahead of the match.
A single match before the World Cup
This friendly is currently the only scheduled game for the world champions before the World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, where Argentina will debut on June 16 against Algeria.
Argentina last played on November 14 against Angola. The venue for the Guatemala match has yet to be confirmed.
River Plate’s Monumental Stadium has been ruled out as it will host an AC/DC concert on the same date.
AFA reaction to Finalissima cancellation
AFA president Claudio “Chiqui” Tapia expressed disappointment over the cancellation of the Finalissima. He stated that Argentina had agreed to play the match in Italy but requested a change of date.
He also emphasized the federation’s stance on playing the match at a neutral venue to ensure sporting fairness and questioned the proposal to host it in Madrid.
