Ceferin pushes Madrid for Finalissima, Argentina resists

UEFA and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) have proposed holding the Finalissima at Santiago Bernabéu on March 27, assuming Doha cannot host due to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The suggestion comes straight from UEFA President Aleksander Ceferin, who sees it as an opportunity to stage a major match in a venue that also symbolizes restored ties with Real Madrid following the Super League saga.

The Slovenian leader has been the driving force behind the idea, aiming to resolve a deadlock just two weeks before the game. Argentina’s football association (AFA) has shown little willingness to settle the issue, but it also does not appear ready to impose its own solution.

AFA president under scrutiny

AFA president Chiqui Tapia is currently under investigation in Argentina for the so-called AFA-Gate scandal, which could soon attract U.S. legal attention. On Thursday, he appeared in Buenos Aires over an €11 million ($12.7 million) tax evasion case and afterward stated that he wants the Argentina-Spain match to take place at River Plate’s iconic Estadio Monumental.

Crushing Spain defeat not forgotten

Given the circumstances, Tapia’s influence is unlikely to extend to blocking the Finalissima in Madrid. A complete cancellation seems more plausible, a scenario that Argentina’s coaching staff appears to favor as the match has been repeatedly postponed.

A heavy loss to Spain just three months before the World Cup would be difficult for Argentina to digest, potentially affecting team morale heading into the tournament. Fans still remember Spain’s 6-1 rout at Madrid’s Metropolitano Stadium ahead of the 2018 World Cup. Sampaoli’s squad never fully recovered from that defeat. While Tapia flails amid legal troubles, Ceferin is proposing the Bernabéu, and European football circles are largely supportive. A decision is expected in the coming hours.

Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that of this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.

And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.