In a powerful moment of sporting diplomacy, Angola is set to welcome global football icon Lionel Messi and the world champion Argentina national team as special guests for the country’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations. The highlight of the visit will be an exhibition match between Angola’s national team and Argentina on Friday at Luanda’s historic 11 November Stadium, named after the very day Angola gained independence from Portugal in 1975.
The Angolan Football Federation is said to have invested $13 million to secure the participation of Messi and his teammates, a move seen as both a bold statement of national pride and a bid to place Angola on the global sporting map. However, the match has not been without controversy — several civil society groups had earlier called for its cancellation, citing alleged government repression following deadly protests over fuel price hikes in August.
Despite the criticism, Argentina’s team is scheduled to arrive in Luanda on Thursday, though four players will miss the game due to vaccination and injury issues.
As the nation marks five decades of independence, the presence of Messi and the world champions is expected to turn the spotlight on Angola — celebrating not just freedom, but also the continent’s growing influence in the global sports arena.
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