Barcelona willing to host Finalissima between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Spain - Reports
Barcelona are reportedly the top contenders to host the fourth edition of the Finalissima between Lionel Messi's Argentina and Spain. No official date has yet been announced for the game but October-November 2025 is a potential window.
The Finalissima is a clash between the current winners of the Copa America and the Euros. In the most recent (2022) edition, 2021 Copa America champions Argentina faced 2020 Euro winners Italy at Wembley Stadium, with La Albiceleste securing a 3-0 victory over Gli Azzurri.
As per a report by Bolavip Argentina, the newly-renovated Barcelona home ground, Spotify Camp Nou, is a leading option to host the next edition of the Finalissima. The stadium is undergoing renovation and is expected to reach a capacity of 105,000 seats by March 2026.
Barcelona are reportedly planning to return to playing at Camp Nou at the end of 2024 with an initial capacity of 64,000. Officials have been working with the Barcelona city council to speed up the construction process in order to host the Finalissima before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, per the report.
The highly-anticipated clash between Argentina and Spain will likely feature former Blaugrana legend Lionel Messi playing opposite 17-year-old Barca star Lamine Yamal for the first time.
If the event is hosted at the new Spotify Camp Nou, it could also mark a farewell for Lionel Messi, who bid an unwilling and tearful goodbye to his boyhood club in August 2021 and has longed to return in some capacity ever since.
"I deserve to be able to say goodbye" - When Lionel Messi expressed his wish for Barcelona fans
Lionel Messi's departure from Barcelona was a tragic moment for the club, as the Argentine icon was forced to leave due to the Catalan giants' financial woes. The club were apparently unable to renew his contract due to La Liga's Financial Fair Play rules.
Messi's exit came during the COVID-19 pandemic and his last game as a Blaugrana player was a 2-1 loss to Celta Vigo at the Camp Nou without fans. He has often expressed his desire to say goodbye to Culers in a better way.
Speaking at a press conference after winning his record-extending eighth Ballon d'Or in October 2023, Lionel Messi said he longed to return to his former club to bid farewell to Culers.
"I would love to be able to say goodbye to people in another way. I think there was a strange feeling when I left. It's not good with everything we shared and lived together. I deserve to be able to say goodbye to people," Messi said (via ESPN).
The Argentine continued:
"Barcelona is my home, I love the club and the people. If it [tribute game] happens, I would be happy to be there."
Barca president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco have since then promised to give fans a chance to say goodbye to Lionel Messi. Inter Miami managing owner Jorge Mas also mentioned earlier that he would do everything possible so that the Blaugrana legend can bid goodbye to Culers.
If the next edition of the Finalissima is held at the Camp Nou, Messi could get a chance to return to Barca and bid farewell to his boyhood club and its fans.