Messi welcomed as a hero in Luanda ahead of the Argentina vs Angola clash
Summoned with Argentina for the friendly against Angola this Friday, Lionel Messi landed in Luanda on Thursday. A first for the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who was greeted like a hero as he stepped off the plane.
Lionel Messi@Besoccer
Argentina faces Angola this Friday in Luanda. A high-profile friendly as part of the November FIFA international window. And of course, Lionel Messi will be taking part. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner arrived Thursday in the Angolan capital. A first for the Argentine superstar, who sparked a genuine popular fervor in the streets of Luanda.
At dawn, thousands of supporters wearing the albiceleste colors flooded the routes leading to the Argentine team’s hotel. Messi and his teammates’ convoy made slow progress through a dense crowd, with fans willing to brave the sun and traffic jams just to catch a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner.
In an atmosphere fit for a World Cup victory, Messi’s name echoed every meter traveled. According to sources close to the Angolan Federation, the event — organized as part of the national day celebrations — represents a colossal investment estimated at nearly €12 million. A calculated gamble, given the media and symbolic impact of this match goes beyond the purely sporting sphere.
The match will kick off at 4 p.m. GMT in a stadium expected to be packed to the rafters. Between national celebration and sporting communion, Angola is set to experience an exceptional evening, marked by the presence of the greatest player of the modern era.