If you’ve got tickets for the friendly football match between almost-World-Cup-champs Argentina and Hong Kong next month, you’ll probably be pleased to know that captain and general soccer legend Lionel Messi will be in attendance.
Despite a clause in the deal that stipulates 15 players from the World Cup squad must play in the Oct. 14 match at Hong Kong Stadium, there were doubts that the main man would make it after a groin strain saw him miss a friendly with actual-World-Cup-champs Germany, which ended in a 4-2 win for Argentina.
Juventus striker Carlos Tevez has, however, been snubbed by new Argi coach Gerardo Martino, despite rumours that the 30-year-old was set to make a return after an absence of three years from international play.
The Hong Kong match, part of the HKFA’s 100th anniversary celebrations, is costing HKD30 million to stage, with ticket prices reaching a record HKD1,800 for the best seats. Despite this, officials are expecting a full house of 40,000 spectators.
The 19-man squad is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman
Defenders: Mateo Musacchio, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo, Santiago Vergini, Federico Fernandez.
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, Javier Pastore, Roberto Pereyra, Angel Di Maria, Erik Lamela, Enzo Perez, Nicolas Gaitan
Strikers: Lionel Messi, Sergio Agero, Gonzalo Higuain.
Come on Hong Kong! Let’s just hope they’re REALLY friendly!
