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

Rajarshi has been part of Khel Now since 2022, and he covers world football.

Published at :November 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM

Modified at :November 12, 2025 at 7:34 PM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

The South American side will play a friendly game against Angola.

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.

Lionel Messi is likely to play against Angola

Copa America Argentina Lionel Messi — MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JULY 14: Lionel Messi of Argentina celebrates with the trophy after the team’s victory during the CONMEBOL Copa America 2024 Final match between Argentina and Colombia at Hard Rock Stadium on July 15, 2024 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

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.

About Angola’s independence

Republic Square in Luanda, the capital, had a ceremony to kick off Angola’s festivities. In front of President Joao Lourenco, soldiers hosted a massive Angolan flag.

On November 11, 1975, Angola proclaimed its independence from Portuguese colonial rule, but a catastrophic civil war soon broke out. Between 500,000 and a million people died throughout the battle, which came to an end in 2002.

Rich in oil since independence, the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) has served as the only political party in charge of the country. The National Liberation Front of Angola (FNLA) and the National Union for the Total Independence of Angola (UNITA) are the other parties active in the country.

Will Messi play against Angola?

Yes, he will play against them as per the report.

Why will Argentina join Angola in their Independence Day celebration?

They have been invited to play against them; hence, they will join them for the Independence Day celebration.

How much did Angola pay Argentina’s board to play a friendly against them?

They paid them $13 million.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Telegram.

Rajarshi Shukla

After earning a bachelor's degree in mass media, Rajarshi began his career as a sports writer in 2019, driven by his passion for sports journalism. He has been working in the field for over six years. A devoted fan of Lionel Messi and Barcelona, Rajarshi has been involved in sports since childhood. Before turning his focus to journalism, he even represented his college at the state level. Along with covering football, he enjoys playing the game, watching movies, and experimenting with new recipes in his spare time, as cooking is one of his favorite hobbies.