The Intercontinental Supercup, also known as the Finalissima, is likely to be moved from its originally planned venue at Lusail Stadium in Qatar. This decision comes amid escalating conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran in the Middle East, which has created significant uncertainty. The Qatar Football Federation recently announced a halt to all ongoing tournaments and is considering postponing the match.

The Intercontinental Supercup match is likely to be moved from Lusail Stadium in Qatar. *Photo: Marca*

The match, initially scheduled for 27/3 at Lusail Stadium, had generated immense excitement, evidenced by the swift sell-out of 88,966 tickets. A central focus of this anticipated contest is the potential direct confrontation between football icon Lionel Messi and rising star Lamine Yamal.

Spain coach Luis De La Fuente has advocated for relocating the game, stating that moving the venue is the best course of action given the unknown duration of the conflict. He expressed enthusiasm for a potential home game, remarking on the proposal to move the match to Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain: "How could I not like playing a final against Argentina at home? It would be a fantastic spectacle, especially with the whole country buzzing with excitement. It would certainly be the right decision."

Wembley Stadium in England is also being considered as an alternative venue. Argentina previously secured their second Finalissima title there in 2022, defeating Italy 3-0.

The Finalissima is a fixture contested by the reigning champions of the Euro and Copa America tournaments. Historically, it has been held only three times: in 1985, France defeated Uruguay 2-0; in 1993, Argentina triumphed over Denmark 5-4 in a penalty shootout; and in 2022, Argentina claimed victory against Italy with a 3-0 scoreline.

This year's edition holds particular intrigue due to the anticipated first direct encounter between Messi and Yamal. Messi, a legendary player, has been pivotal in Barcelona's history, contributing to four Champions League and 10 La Liga titles, alongside his 2022 World Cup and two Copa America wins with Argentina. Yamal, at just 18 years old, is regarded as a deserving successor, having already helped Spain win Euro 2024 and Barcelona achieve a domestic treble in the 2024-2025 season.

Thanh Quy (according to Marca)