Zim GBC Sports News
LUANDA – In a major coup for African football, Angola will host the Argentine national team, including global superstar Lionel Messi, for a friendly match in November 2025 as part of the celebrations for its 50th anniversary of independence.
The highly anticipated fixture is scheduled for November 14 in the capital, Luanda, and will see the reigning World Cup champions play on Angolan soil. However, securing the high-profile team required a significant financial commitment from the Angolan government.
According to reports from Sport News Africa, Angola has paid approximately €12 million (about US$13.9 million) to the Argentine Football Association (AFA) to secure the team’s visit. The substantial offer is reported to have outbid other interested nations, including Morocco, ensuring the Argentinian squad would travel to Luanda for the historic event.
The match is set to be a landmark occasion for the football-passionate nation. A source close to the negotiations highlighted its significance, stating,
“This fixture marks the 50th anniversary of the African nation’s independence, a significant milestone that led the Angolan government to negotiate the visit of the reigning world champions.”
For Argentina, the friendly presents a strategic opportunity. With an impeccable qualifying campaign behind them, coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to use the match to evaluate emerging talent ahead of the 2026 World Cup.
While Messi is anticipated to feature, the international break will also provide a platform for players like Valentín Barco, Máximo Perrone, and Nico Paz to stake their claim for a spot in the final squad.
The encounter promises to be more than just a game; it is a celebration of football and a nation’s history, bringing one of the sport’s greatest-ever teams to the heart of Africa.
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