UEFA 'refuses' to allow Messi to return to play at Camp Nou

UEFA is said to have declined suggestions to stage the 2026 Finalissima at two premier stadiums in Spain, which include Camp Nou.

According to sources from the website Topskills Sports UK, UEFA has officially rejected proposals to host the Finalissima 2026 match between the Spanish national team and the Argentine national team at Real Madrid's Bernabeu stadium, Barcelona's Camp Nou, and the Olympic stadium in Rome.

This means Lionel Messi and Lamine Yamal, representatives of two generations at Barcelona, will not be able to create a memorable reunion at Camp Nou. For Messi, the Argentine superstar may have to wait longer to officially return to the place that made his name. That scenario could occur in the future if he truly reappears wearing the Catalan club's jersey, or when Barcelona's leadership organizes a tribute match specifically for him.

Currently, the MetLife Stadium in the USA is the only venue still under consideration. Additionally, Qatar remains a valid option for hosting the match amid the ongoing tense situation.

Throughout the past week, multiple international sources indicated that organizers are considering the possibility of changing the match venue but are trying to keep the original match date. In response to these reports, UEFA issued a statement saying the final decision may not be announced until next week. The European football governing body stated they prefer to wait for the situation in Doha and the surrounding area to stabilize so that both teams can play as originally planned at Lusail Stadium.

“Discussions with the local organizers are ongoing, and they have made significant efforts to ensure the match's success. The final decision is expected to be made by the end of next week. At this moment, no alternative venues are being considered”, UEFA said in a statement sent to Reuters.

With this statement, UEFA shows that the current priority is to maintain the original venue and timing for the match. However, the possibility of moving to another stadium or changing the match date has not been completely ruled out.