Lionel Messi's Argentina to join Angola for their 50th independence celebrations

Argentina National Football Team

Lionel Messi and the Argentina national football team will be special visitors this week, when Angola commemorate its 50th anniversary of independence from Portugal.

The current world champion’s appearance was anticipated to heighten the African nation’s celebration as the events got underway on Wednesday, November 12.

On Friday, 14 November, Angola’s national squad will play an exhibition match against the winners of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. According to reports, the country in Southern Africa paid $13 million to play a friendly against them.

Angola’s 11 November Stadium, which bears the name of the country’s independence day, will host the match. The team’s arrival in the country was verified by the Argentine Football Association on Thursday.

There are concerns regarding Messi’s participation in the friendly game in an African nation, as the Major League Soccer (MLS) playoffs are ongoing, and Inter Miami advanced to the Eastern Conference semifinals for the first time in club history.

However, Lionel Scaloni, the manager of Argentina, is determined that Messi will start against Angola, according to Argentina insider Gaston Edul. According to reports, Messi’s involvement was the main requirement for the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to receive an appearance fee.