According to Spanish media outlet Cadena SER, Bruno Alemani has selected the best XI of Spain and Argentina combined, including Messi, Yamal, and Unai Simón.
With the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina just around the corner, the pre-match atmosphere is already very intense. Against this backdrop, Bruno Alemani, an expert analyst from Cadena SER, appeared on a program to share his best player lineup for each position from the two finalist teams in this World Cup.
Alemani selected the players he considered better for each position and explained his reasons. In goal, he chose Unai Simón over Martinez, arguing that the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper was more consistent than the Argentine goalkeeper. In defense, three of the four defenders were from the Spanish national team, with Cucurella and Porro playing as full-backs, whom he considered among Spain's best players. At center-back, Alemani chose Laporte on one side and, on the other, his top choice, Coutinho Romero, over Cubasi. He explained that Romero was only slightly superior to Cubasi based on experience and their semi-final performance.
In midfield, he employed a double pivot. On one side was Spain's Rodri Hernandez, whom Alemani considered "one of the top three players in this World Cup." On the other side was Argentina's Enzo Fernandez, whom he "really likes"; furthermore, he believed Enzo Fernandez was "getting into form," and his performance in the semi-final was one of the reasons.
On the right flank, Alemani chose Yamal. He explained that Yamal's competitors for this position would be Enzo Fernandez and Giuliano Simeone; Enzo is already playing as a defensive midfielder, and he believes Yamal is "clearly" superior to Simeone. For the attacking midfielder position, Alemani chose Messi, believing the Argentine is one of the top three players for the 2026 World Cup and stating that Messi is playing his best World Cup game. On the left flank, despite Olmo not playing that position, Alemani still chose Olmo, followed by Baena, Nico Williams, and McAllister.
For the center forward position, Alemani chose Julian Álvarez over Oyarzabal. Although he believed the Real Sociedad player had performed better in this World Cup, considering this match and Julian Álvarez's equally improving form, Alemani ultimately opted for Julian. Finally, between Scaloni and Luis de la Fuente, Alemani chose Luis de la Fuente, reasoning that the Spanish coach's team "played better football and had a better World Cup."
The 2026 FIFA World Cup final will be held at the Metropolitan Life Stadium in New York City at 3:00 AM Beijing time next Monday.
