Maffeo rules out playing for Spain

Pablo Maffeo, a right-back for Mallorca, has made his international future clear: he will not represent Spain. Despite having played for Spain's U-21 team, the Barcelona-born defender holds Italian and Argentine nationality, allowing him to choose among three national teams. And his decision is final: he wants to wear the Argentina jersey.

Clashes with Vinícius and Real Madrid

One of the factors distancing him from Spain's national team is his repeated clashes with Vinícius Jr. in Spanish football. "Obviously, the incidents with Real Madrid push you away. Look at Raíllo, I think he deserved to be called up, and instead, they took a guy I don't even know (Dean Huijsen). I would have taken Raíllo, obviously," the full-back stated.

The tension between Maffeo and Vinícius is nothing new. They have had several on-field altercations, and on multiple occasions, the Brazilian has complained about Maffeo’s aggressive playing style.

Prefers Argentina for the way he was treated

Maffeo's preference for Argentina isn’t just about football—it’s also about how he was welcomed. "I felt very comfortable; the treatment was excellent, and that carries a lot of weight when making a decision," he said.

He believes that Lionel Scaloni's squad made him feel at home, and the chance to play alongside stars like Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martínez is an added incentive.

A footballer who doesn’t watch football

One of Maffeo's most surprising revelations was his lack of interest in following matches. "I don’t watch football. I’ll watch the Champions League with friends, but more for the dinner than the game itself. The World Cup? Only Argentina’s matches, but not much," he admitted.

With his stance firmly set, Maffeo has closed the door on Spain and left open the possibility of representing Argentina, a scenario that could become a reality if Scaloni decides to call him up in the future.