Julián Álvarez Shocks Fans by Choosing Argentina Over Spain’s Rising Stars Ahead of Finalissima Clash!

March’s Finalissima is shaping up to be quite the showstopper, with Lamine Yamal poised to catch some major spotlight as Spain faces off against Argentina. It’ll be the first time we see this young prodigy share the pitch with none other than Lionel Messi—a moment that’s already stirring plenty of buzz. Yet here’s the twist that’s got tongues wagging: despite snagging the runner-up spot for the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Yamal didn’t make the cut in Julián Álvarez’s hypothetical Argentina lineup. Instead, Álvarez opted for two other Spanish internationals, choosing Rodri and Pedri over the dazzling Barcelona teen. Now, Álvarez—Atlético Madrid’s lethal forward and a key player in Argentina’s World Cup-winning squad—has crossed paths with Yamal more than once in the La Liga battleground, but apparently, the teenager hasn’t quite secured his favor just yet. With Spain cruising to a top finish in their World Cup qualifying group and the Finalissima set for March 27 at Doha’s Lusail Stadium, this match could very well be Yamal’s stage to prove his mettle—and maybe make Álvarez rethink his choices. LEARN MORE.

Lamine Yamal is expected to be one of the headliners in the upcoming Finalissima between Spain and Argentina next March, a matchup that would see him share the field with Lionel Messi for the first time. However, despite finishing as the runner-up in the 2025 Ballon d’Or, the Barcelona star was overlooked by Julián Álvarez, who instead selected two other Spain internationals to represent Argentina.

Álvarez has firmly established himself as one of the world’s top strikers and remains a key figure for the Argentina side that lifted the World Cup. Now starring for Atlético Madrid in La Liga, the forward has already faced Yamal multiple times domestically, but the teenager still does not appear to be his preferred fit for a hypothetical Albiceleste lineup.

During a rapid-fire interview with Marca, and with the Finalissima approaching, Álvarez was asked which Spain player he would choose to play for Argentina. “Rodri,” the striker replied, naming his former Manchester City teammate with whom he won the UEFA Champions League.

Álvarez was then given the opportunity to make a second selection, and once again Yamal was left out. “Pedri,” he answered immediately, opting for another FC Barcelona standout rather than the highly touted 18-year-old winger.

Rodri (L) and Pedri of Spain national team.

With Spain already securing qualification for the World Cup by finishing atop their group, the Finalissima no longer faces another postponement and is expected to go ahead as planned. While no official announcement has been made, the match is projected for Friday, March 27, at Lusail Stadium in Doha, a stage where Yamal could look to prove Álvarez wrong against one of the world’s elite national teams.

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Yamal leads head-to-head against Álvarez

Julián Álvarez’s move to Spain coincided with Yamal’s breakout 2024–25 season. While Álvarez was still at Manchester City, the two never crossed paths at club or international level, but frequent clashes between Atlético Madrid and Barcelona have since created a growing rivalry.

Álvarez has faced Yamal’s Barcelona five times, recording just one win, a match in which Yamal was sidelined with an ankle injury in December 2024. In the four meetings since, Barcelona have claimed three victories along with a 4-4 draw. During that stretch, Yamal has registered one goal and two assists, while Álvarez has scored twice and added one assist, giving the edge to the Spanish teenager so far.