Argentina and Spain were due to play the eagerly awaited Finalissima in Qatar on March 27. However, the circumstances in the Middle East prevented the match from taking place. Despite FIFA's attempt to make the match a reality, Argentina and Spain could not agree on a venue and date, so it was decided to cancel it. "As we always say, and the players have also explained during all this time, we are a little bit oblivious to everything that is done," said Javier Saviola in an interview with MARCA.
After the announcement of the cancellation, rumors began to circulate on social networks. The reality is quite different. Both wanted to play, but everything aligned to make it unfeasible. Javier Saviola, a former player of the Argentine national team and of Barcelona and Real Madrid, among others, has spoken about the match. "More than a rematch, I think it was going to be a spectacular match," says Saviola, who does not believe that the last precedent (6-1) between the European and Copa America champion is an influential factor. "Argentina has just been world champion, that's why it is so respected," he adds, to highlight his team
Argentina, favorite and eager to vindicate its role
For 'El Conejo' Saviola, his country is one of the powerhouses of international football. A talented team that is in the running as favourites to lift the World Cup trophy once again. "Yes, yes. We are candidates," he says bluntly. "Because we have already won the World Cup; and because we have the best player in the world and one of the best in history (Messi)," he adds, to support his thinking
"When you get to the top, then you have to keep proving yourself and earning the respect of the last world champion," explains Saviola, who wants to cross paths with the best to make a statement and restore Argentina to the top of world soccer. "Hopefully we can play against Spain in the World Cup in the final stages," he says, confident that his team has the potential to beat a talented Spain, which he also includes in that group of favorites
Possible last World Cup for Messi
2026, barring any surprises, will be the last major World Cup for a Lionel Messi who has already won everything at the age of 38. He is a figure that Argentine soccer values and loves above all things. "He got rid of the burden of not being able to win the World Cup. Now he will surely enjoy it," Saviola explained ahead of the tournament that will kick off on June 11. "He always wants the best for Argentina, and this type of player always competes and wants to win," he added, making it clear that Messi is hungry to get that fourth star for Argentina
However, to the sadness of football, Leo is not immortal. The day will come when he will retire and leave the national team in the hands of the players who have escorted him throughout his career. In this way, Saviola is clear about who should take over as leader in the dressing room. "Paredes has a lot of personality. He is a player who has been showing it over the last few years and can become a great captain," said Javier, who values Leandro for all the moments shared with Leo, Di Maria, Otamendi. "Julian, Tagliafico, Dibu, I think that's where the shots are going," he added, to make it clear that the Albiceleste is in good hands for the near future
New generations
'El Conejo' valued these new key pieces in the long term for Argentina and Benfica, and not only on the field. "The boys have to be taught values," he explained. "Training future national team players, in this case from Benfica, but also from Real Madrid, Barca, all of them, is very important," he said. In this way, it is clear that there is a lot of vigilance in the growth of future talents from the Portuguese academy
Saviola valued the work being done at Benfica's academy. An exercise in training that is bearing fruit with young footballers who stand out when they make the leap to the first team. Moreover, as a further demonstration of the effort, one only has to look at the youth ranks, where better to look to the future. There, the youth team is in the semi-finals of the Youth League, where they could meet Real Madrid in a hypothetical final.