Pablo Maffeo Makes History as First Active Player in Kings League
In a historic turn of events, Pablo Maffeo, the 27-year-old defender currently playing for Mallorca, is set to make his debut in the Kings League, a competition co-founded by football legends Kun Agüero and Gerard Piqué. This league has become renowned for featuring retired global football stars; however, Maffeo is breaking new ground as the first active player to compete in this captivating tournament.
Maffeo was last called up to the Argentina national team in November 2023 for crucial World Cup qualifying matches against Brazil and Uruguay. While he joined the squad and trained alongside World Cup champions, he did not see any playing time during those fixtures, remaining on the bench. Now, he finds himself at a crossroads, possibly leaving Mallorca amidst interest from Betis, yet creating a unique chapter in football history by balancing his ongoing professional career with participation in the Kings League.
Fans were buzzing when it was announced, "It’s official. Pablo Maffeo of Mallorca will debut this Sunday in the Kings League," as shared by the league’s official account. Notably, Mallorca will not be playing this weekend due to the FIFA break, allowing Maffeo to focus solely on his new venture with Kun Agüero’s team, Kunisports.
Born in Barcelona to an Argentine mother, Maffeo’s journey has included a stint at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola, and various loan moves before joining Mallorca, where he has recently helped the club reach seventh place in La Liga. Interestingly, despite his national team experience, he has not accumulated official minutes for Argentina, leaving him eligible to represent Spain or Italy as well. However, Maffeo stated unequivocally, "I would choose Italy over Spain, 100%. I have Argentina on my mind, but perhaps in 20 years, I might view things differently. For me, it’s Argentina or nothing." This statement encapsulates the passion and dedication he holds for his national team.
As Maffeo prepares for his debut in the Kings League, he stands at an intersection of past commitments and future aspirations, ready to embrace new challenges with excitement while continuing to represent Argentina with pride.
The football journey of Pablo Maffeo has taken an unexpected yet thrilling turn, transitioning from representing the Argentina national team under coach Lionel Scaloni to participating in the innovative Kings League, a seven-a-side tournament founded by footballing icon Gerard Piqué. This Sunday marks a historic moment as Maffeo, a defender currently playing for RCD Mallorca, becomes the first active professional player to take part in this captivating competition.
Official announcements have confirmed Maffeo's debut in the Kings League, revealing that he will represent the Kunisports team, led by the legendary Sergio "Kun" Agüero. His first challenge in the tournament will be against the Porcinos, kicking off at 14:00. It's important to note that Mallorca will not compete this weekend due to FIFA international fixtures, allowing Maffeo to seize this unique opportunity.
In November 2023, Maffeo received a call-up from Scaloni to join the Argentina squad for the FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Brazil and Uruguay. However, despite the honor, he did not see any match action and has not been recalled since. At 27 years old, Maffeo, who was born in Barcelona to an Argentine mother, has an intriguing heritage that caught the attention of the national team coaches. Having represented Spain at various youth levels, from Under-16 to Under-21, Maffeo’s career has taken him through notable clubs, including a stint at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola. He has experienced several loan spells but has finally made a mark at Mallorca since establishing himself with the team in 2022. Remarkably, Mallorca is currently positioned seventh in La Liga, adding to the excitement surrounding Maffeo's transitioning career.
Real Mallorca has addressed the recent excitement surrounding defender Maffeo's participation in the Kings League, confirming that his involvement will be "limited" and that there is "no risk of injury". The atmosphere at Mallorca is one of calm reassurance. The buzz generated by Maffeo's upcoming stint in the Kings League has solidified the club's dedication to this groundbreaking endeavor in professional football.
The media's attention has reached the anticipated levels, with discussions about Mallorca circulating globally. Confidence reigns supreme at Mallorca, as officials believe everything is in place for Maffeo's appearance. To ensure his safety, Maffeo is covered by insurance provided by the organization led by Gerard Piqué, the promoter of the Kings League. Moreover, several agreements have been set in place to ensure that the player’s presence remains largely symbolic.
As emphasized by the club on Wednesday, the perceived risk of injury is deemed to be "zero". Maffeo is expected to take a penalty kick or possibly play just three minutes at most. "Everything is agreed upon," officials reassured, responding to concerns voiced by dedicated fans and the broader football community online. This 'minimal' involvement was corroborated by Ibai Llanos, president of Porcinos, the team that Kunisport will face. "Kun told me he would only play for three minutes, and I said that’s fine. So, we will have the honor, if you can call it that, of playing against an active player from Spain’s top division, who I think is doing quite well. Although I don’t follow Mallorca closely, I understand that Betis has shown interest, so we’ll just have to wait and see," he remarked.
From Mallorca's perspective, this initiative has the backing of sporting director Pablo Ortells and head coach Jagoba Arrasate. They stress that this strategy is aimed at enhancing the club’s visibility and will begin to bear fruit from the moment Maffeo's participation in the Kings League was announced.