World Cup final: 9 Spain and Argentina players have faced Flamengo

In partnership with

Coluna do Fla

·17 juillet 2026

World Cup final: 9 Spain and Argentina players have faced Flamengo

World Cup Final Will Feature Familiar Faces for Flamengo Fans

Spain and Argentina will face off in the World Cup final next Sunday (19). The match will take place at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, United States, starting at 4 p.m. (Brasília time). Both teams feature familiar faces for Flamengo fans—some of them frequent victims.

WHICH SPAIN PLAYERS HAVE ALREADY FACED FLAMENGO?

On Spain’s side, two players have already faced Flamengo, both last year. Left back Marc Cucurella, then at Chelsea (ENG) and now at Real Madrid (ESP), saw Mengão steamroll his team 3-1 in the Club World Cup. Fabián Ruiz, meanwhile, won the Intercontinental title against the Most Beloved with PSG (FRA) on penalties.

Vidéos OneFootball

Marc Cucurella – Flamengo 3×1 Chelsea (ENG) – Club World Cup 2025 Fabián Ruiz – Flamengo 1×1 PSG (FRA) – Intercontinental 2025

WHICH ARGENTINA PLAYERS HAVE ALREADY FACED FLAMENGO?

The Argentine list is longer, since most of them started out at clubs in the country and have already played in the Libertadores and the Copa Sudamericana. Three runners-up against Mengão in the unforgettable 2019 final between Flamengo and River Plate (ARG) stand out: Gonzalo Montiel, Exequiel Palacios, and Julián Alvarez. Another regular victim is Flaco López, beaten in last year’s final with Palmeiras.

However, the connection with the “hermanos” does not bring only good memories for Flamengo. After all, Nicolás Tagliafico was with Independiente (ARG), winners of the 2017 Copa Sudamericana right in the Maracanã. The list also includes Thiago Almada, a Mengão transfer target. The midfielder faced the Most Beloved for Vélez (ARG) and Botafogo.

Enzo Fernández – Flamengo 3×1 Chelsea (ENG) – Club World Cup 2025 Gonzalo Montiel – Flamengo 2×2 River Plate – Libertadores 2018 – River Plate 0x0 Flamengo – Libertadores 2018 – Flamengo 2×1 River Plate – Libertadores 2019 final Nicolás Tagliafico Independiente 2×1 Flamengo – 2017 Copa Sudamericana final Flamengo 1×1 Independiente – 2017 Copa Sudamericana final Exequiel Palacios – Flamengo 2×2 River Plate – Libertadores 2018 – River Plate 0x0 Flamengo – Libertadores 2018 – Flamengo 2×1 River Plate – Libertadores 2019 final Thiago Almada – Vélez Sarsfield 2×3 Flamengo – Libertadores 2021 – Flamengo 0x0 Vélez Sarsfield – Libertadores 2021 – Botafogo 4×1 Flamengo – Brasileirão 2024 Julián Alvarez – Flamengo 2×1 River Plate – Libertadores 2019 final Flaco López 12 matches: 5 Flamengo wins, 4 draws, and 3 wins for Flaco with Palmeiras

WHAT IS AT STAKE IN THE WORLD CUP FINAL?

For Spain, it is a chance to win their second world title. The Europeans lifted the trophy in 2010. Argentina, meanwhile, are chasing their fourth, after glory in 1978, 1986, and 2022. In addition, Lionel Messi’s team will have the chance to win back-to-back titles, an achievement managed only by Italy (1934-38) and Brazil (1958-62).

WHAT IS THE AUTHOR’S OPINION ON THE TOPIC?

— The World Cup final promises a lot. Among Flamengo’s old rivals, I would highlight one on each side. Marc Cucurella is now one of the best left backs in the world and should go head-to-head with Messi. It promises to be a very heated direct duel! On the other side, Enzo Fernández played a decisive role against Egypt and England in this World Cup and could be the hero of the rivals’ fourth title. We’ll see — commented Pedro Paulo Catonho, journalist for Coluna do Fla.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.