Watching Lionel Messi play live is every football fan’s dream. It’s something that stays with you for the rest of your life.
This is why football fans across London are calling on Tottenham Hotspur to cancel an upcoming rugby event for a chance to watch Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal play.
The Finalissima, scheduled for March 27, pits Spain against Argentina, the champions of Europe and South America.
The game was set to be played in Qatar, but Qatar has suspended all football activities amid the Middle East war between Israel, Iran and USA.
With alternative venues being explored at short notice, the fine Tottenham Hotspur Stadium entered the conversation.
The north London venue has the capacity and infrastructure to host an event of this magnitude.
But there is just one problem.
On March 28, one day after the Finalissima, a Rugby match is being held at the same ground.
The sold-out double-header features Saracens Women against Sale Sharks Women followed by the Saracens Men facing Northampton Saints, with around 60,000 fans incoming.
This back-to-back scheduling has effectively ruled Tottenham out as a viable host.
Here’s the latest on the Finalissima venue options –
🇬🇧 London was named many times, but Wembley Stadium is not available because the England national team is playing there. Another option was Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, but there is a rugby match scheduled for March 28, so that also looks unlikely. That leaves London Stadium (West Ham’s stadium) as the only realistic option, which makes London seem doubtful overall.
🇺🇸 Miami was considered but has reportedly been ruled out due to a tennis event. Other options mentioned were MetLife Stadium in New York and Houston. However, it seems players prefer the match to be played in Europe due to travel time, and ticket sales would likely be stronger there as well.
🇪🇸 The Spanish federation (RFEF) proposed Spain as a host. The only realistic stadium would be Santiago Bernabéu Stadium. Still, it feels unlikely that Argentina would agree to play in Spain.
🇲🇦 Diario AS reported this morning that Morocco is another potential option. However, The Independent claims Spain does not want to play in Morocco due to ongoing issues between the countries.
🇵🇹 🇮🇹 Portugal has also been mentioned as a possible host. Rome, specifically Stadio Olimpico, is another interesting option.
Fans on X are arguing that rugby should step aside for this once-in-a-generation opportunity –
@davina_thfc
A rugby match is stopping us from watching Yamal, Cuti, Pedri and Messi in Tottenham
@xAlexTHFC
F**k the rugby cancel it and bring Messi to N17 immediately
@JackC_15_
Rugby is going to stop me watching Messi play in Tottenham. F***ing rugby…
@MattJarvisCAFC
Who cares about the rugby ffs!
We could host it @CAFCofficial
Imagine Messi vs Yamal at The Valley. You know it makes sense #cafc
@Ozzytok10
Rugby??? Cancel that rubbish and bring Messi, Pedri and Yamal to the Lane man 🤦♂️🤦♂️
@saroclimbedup
Emirates/London stadium works just fine. Better yet tell England to go play somewhere else
Be it Messi, Ronaldo, Mbappe or Yamal. These are names that define an era. For a fan lucky enough to watch them in person, the memory never fades.
These opportunities do not come around twice, and London’s football faithful know it all too well.
