LUANDA, ANGOLA—The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) will reportedly pay a significant fee of €12 million (approximately $12.7 million USD) to host a friendly match against the reigning World Cup champions, Argentina, in November. The hefty price tag, as reported by World Soccer Talk, is linked to the exclusive guarantee of having superstar Lionel Messi participate in the fixture.
The friendly, scheduled for November 14 at the 11 de Novembro National Stadium in Luanda, is set to be a major national celebration marking the 50th anniversary of Angola’s independence. The event is expected to draw a sold-out crowd of more than 48,000 fans eager to see Messi and the Albiceleste play for the first time in Angolan history.