The stage is set for the 2025 Finalissima, where Copa América 2024 champions Argentina will clash with Euro 2024 winners Spain in a highly anticipated battle of continental champions.
This prestigious match, known as the "grand final," continues a tradition dating back to 1985, bringing together the best teams from UEFA and CONMEBOL.
The upcoming contest promises a thrilling spectacle, featuring legendary Lionel Messi leading Argentina against a rising Spanish side headlined by 17-year-old prodigy Lamine Yamal. Interestingly, Messi and Yamal's only prior encounter was during a 2007 photoshoot, which has since gone viral.
Before the Euro 2024 finals, Yamal expressed his dreams to RAC1, saying, "I hope Messi wins the Copa América and I win the Euros, so I can play against him in the Finalissima." The young star's wish has come true, setting up an intergenerational clash of football talent.
The inaugural Finalissima in 2022 saw Messi's Argentina triumph over Italy with a 3-0 victory at Wembley Stadium. Building on this success, Argentina aims to defend their title, albeit without Ángel Di María, who recently retired from international football. Di María announced that Copa América 2024 would be his final appearance for his country.
While the exact date for the 2025 Finalissima is yet to be confirmed, it is expected to take place in the summer, following the pattern set by the 2022 edition held on June 1.
This highly anticipated match will be a highlight in the international football calendar, occurring during a period with no major European or South American competitions apart from FIFA World Cup qualifying matches. The Finalissima offers a unique chance for fans to witness top-tier international competition outside the World Cup cycle. It will be the last major international tournament before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, co-hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
