He was a candidate to play in 2026 World Cup with Messi’s Argentina, never got called up again and now is whistled at his club

Pablo Maffeo, once considered a potential member of Lionel Scaloni’s Argentina squad for the 2026 World Cup alongside Lionel Messi, has not received another call-up and is now facing criticism from his club fans.

In November 2023, Pablo Maffeo was surprisingly called up by Lionel Scaloni, alongside Lionel Messi, for Argentina’s World Cup qualifying matches against Uruguay and Brazil, both part of the CONMEBOL qualifiers.

The right-back, born in Barcelona but the son of an Argentine, was seen as a potential alternative to Nahuel Molina and Gonzalo Montiel as part of the anticipated squad refresh for Argentina’s 2022 World Cup-winning team, with hopes of having Messi lead the charge as they aim to defend their title at the 2026 World Cup.

However, Maffeo has struggled to make an impact at Mallorca, where he has played since the 2021/2022 season. He has made headlines more for on-field clashes—particularly with Vinicius Junior—and inconsistent performances, which have hurt his chances of returning to the national team.

His struggles have not gone unnoticed by Mallorca fans. Supporters expressed their frustration with his play in the final match of last season and repeated it on Saturday, August 9, at Son Moix Stadium before a friendly against Hamburg.

When Maffeo’s name was announced over the loudspeakers, a chorus of boos filled the stadium, making it clear that the 28-year-old is no longer in favor with Mallorca fans. This has effectively marked him as one of the club’s negotiable players heading into the remainder of the summer transfer window before the start of LaLiga 25/26.

Maffeo separated from Mallorca squad

As previously reported, Mallorca head coach Jagoba Arrasate has removed Pablo Maffeo from first-team training. The Argentina-eligible right back, along with teammates Cyle Larin and Daniel Luna, trained separately on Tuesday, August 12 — a clear indication the club is actively seeking to move them during the current transfer window. It now appears unlikely that Maffeo will even be included in the squad for Mallorca’s LaLiga opener against Barcelona on Saturday, August 16 at Son Moix.

Maffeo previously sought Mallorca exit

Earlier this year, in an interview with La Zona 10, Maffeo revealed that he had pushed to leave Mallorca during the 2025 winter transfer window. While a move never materialized, the club assured him he would be free to pursue a transfer this summer. “I wanted to leave because I wasn’t feeling good here personally,” said the 27-year-old, who is under contract with Mallorca through mid-2027.

From: bolavip.com