The 2026 Finalissima will be the last major international soccer event before the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. The strongest continental champions on the planet, Argentina and Spain, will meet in a title match during the March FIFA break, a showdown that will draw the attention of fans around the world.
However, in the buildup to that clash, tensions have grown due to an unexpected exchange between the league presidents of both countries. “If I could have a second passport, it would be Argentine. I feel very connected to that country,” said Javier Tebas, president of La Liga, in an interview shared by Ole. “So I follow their soccer very closely, and I suffer seeing the state it is in.”
Tebas then expanded on his remarks, pointing to what he believes are weaknesses in the Argentine league. “The first thing I feel is sadness because a country with so much passion, so many fans, and such a strong sense of identity does not have soccer and clubs performing at a level that would allow them to become a global powerhouse,” explained the La Liga president.
The response from the president of the Argentine league
Hours after those comments became public, Claudio Tapia responded to Javier Tebas through his official account on X. “Our league is not a league for the few: it is popular, competitive, and a developer of talent. To belittle it is to ignore our history and the contribution we make to world soccer,” wrote the president of the Argentine Football Association.
He then directly targeted Tebas: “What can we expect now if you already criticized the Club World Cup?” This message refers to Tebas’ previous criticism of the FIFA Club World Cup before the tournament began. “My view is that this competition was forced through without agreeing with the leagues, and it greatly harms the global soccer ecosystem, especially in Europe… We all have to reflect on this: there should not be competitions like this, at least not organized in this way or at that time,” Tebas said back then.
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In a second post on X, Tapia continued his response to the La Liga president. “We are the league of the world champions, and we do not accept disparaging remarks from those who should promote respect between institutions,” Claudio wrote. He ended with a jab at Tebas’ comment about wanting an Argentine passport: “And just to be clear, you do not need to ‘nationalize.’ Argentines are born wherever they want, Javier Tebas.”
The Finalissima keeps gaining layers
A match between the champions of Europe and South America, with an official title on the line, is already compelling enough. However, the 2026 Finalissima brings several storylines that make it an even more fascinating event.
Not only will Spain and Argentina battle to become intercontinental champions and solidify their status as favorites ahead of the World Cup, but they will also compete for the top spot in the FIFA Rankings, where Spain currently hold a narrow edge.
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In addition, it will mark the first — and perhaps only — showdown between a star nearing the end of his era, Lionel Messi, and the rising sensation Lamine Yamal. The clear similarities in their playing styles, combined with their iconic No. 10 at Barcelona, add another layer of drama to this matchup.
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