Finalissima

Finalissima Overview

Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi

Argentina vs Spain Finalissima in doubt after Qatar League suspended

The highly-anticipated Finalissima clash between reigning European champions Spain and South American counterparts Argentina, scheduled for March 27 in Doha, has been thrown into serious doubt. Following recent geopolitical developments, including Iranian strikes on bases within the country and an escalation of conflict across the Middle East, Qatar has taken the drastic step of halting all sporting activity.

Lamine Yamal Lionel Messi

Argentina's plan to stop Yamal in La Finalissima revealed

Lionel Scaloni's plan to stop Lamine Yamal in La Finalissima has been revealed as Spain gear up to take on Argentina in Qatar. The European champions will take on the Copa America winners in Qatar next month in the pre-World Cup meeting in the national team equivalent of the now-defunct Intercontinental Cup. The game will see the Barcelona wonderkid come up against Lionel Messi for the first time.

Lionel Messi Lamine Yamal

Yamal and Messi to go head-to-head as Finalissima is confirmed

A generational showdown is officially on the calendar as Spain and Argentina prepare to contest the Finalissima in Qatar, setting up a first-ever senior meeting between Lamine Yamal and Lionel Messi. With the European and South American champions colliding at Lusail Stadium, the one-off clash promises symbolism, history and World Cup-level intensity just months before the 2026 tournament.

Lamine Yamal Spain

Finalissima 2026: Qatar set to host Spain vs Argentina

Qatar is all set to host the men's Finalissima 2026 at the iconic Lusail Stadium on March 27, 2026. The showpiece fixture will see European champions Spain take on Copa America champions Argentina in a highly anticipated clash between continental title holders. World champions Argentina, who won the trophy last time, beating Italy in 2022, will be up against La Roja.

Lionel Messi World Cup trophy

Messi airs WC ‘hope’ & rules out Finalissima clash with Yamal

Lionel Messi has aired his 2026 World Cup “hope”, with there still a chance that he will grace that competition, but has ruled himself out of a meeting with Spain and Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal in the next Finalissima. Argentina are hoping to have their talismanic captain available for the defence of a global title next summer, but will be without him if a clash with the reigning champions of Europe is confirmed.

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Finalissima, fixtures & results

Thursday 26 March
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Standings

PosTeamPWDLFA+/-PTSForm
1Paris Saint-Germain crestParis Saint-Germain24183353193457
W
W
L
W
W
2Lens crestLens24172545212453
D
L
W
W
W
3Lyon crestLyon24143739261345
L
L
W
W
W
4Marseille crestMarseille24134751331843
W
L
D
L
D
5Lille crestLille2412483731640
W
W
D
D
L
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Frequently asked questions

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) have won the Ligue 1 title 12 times, more than any other club. Their first win was in 1986, and they claimed their record-breaking 12th title in 2023, surpassing AS Saint-Etienne.

The Ligue 1 consists of 18 teams since the 2023-24 season, prior to which 20 teams took part in the league. The inaugural season of the French first division in 1932-33 also consisted of 20 teams, divided in two groups of 10 teams each.

Mickael Landreau holds the record for the most Ligue 1 appearances, with 618 matches as a goalkeeper. His career spanned nearly two decades, playing for clubs like Nantes, Paris Saint-Germain, Lille, and Bastia.

Delio Onnis holds the record as the all-time top scorer in Ligue 1 with 299 goals. Playing as a centre-forward, his remarkable goal-scoring feats spanned the 1970s and 1980s, where he starred for clubs like AS Monaco and Reims, making him a legend in French football.

As of 2024, Dimitri Payet holds the record for the most assists in Ligue 1 history, with a total of 130 assists. The attacking midfielder achieved this milestone during his successful stints with several clubs, including Marseille and Lille.

Pierre Braine holds the record of being the oldest player in Ligue 1 history, aged almost 45 years in a Ligue 1 game in 1945.

At 15 years and 225 days, Kalman Gerencseri is the youngest player in Ligue 1 history. The Frenchman played for Lens against Monaco in a Ligue 1 game in 1960.

Notable players who have graced Ligue 1 include legends like Zinedine Zidane, George Weah, Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Ronaldinho, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe.

Prominent managers in Ligue 1 include Arsene Wenger, Laurent Blanc, Carlo Ancelotti, Adi Hutter, Luis Enrique, etc.

The Orange Velodrome in Marseille is the largest stadium in Ligue 1, with a capacity of 67,394 spectators. Home to Marseille since 1937, it is renowned for its electric atmosphere and hosting significant football events in France.

Neymar is indeed the most expensive player in Ligue 1 history. His transfer from Barcelona to Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 was valued at a record €222 million, which remains the highest transfer fee ever paid for a player.