Angola federation pays €12 million for Messi-led Argentina friendly

The Angola national team has lined up a high-profile friendly against world champions Argentina on 14 November. The Angolan capital of Luanda is expected to host the match, with Lionel Messi anticipated to play.

The Angolan Football Federation (FAF) confirmed the friendly, marking the first time in 15 years that Argentina will play a COSAFA nation on African soil. The match will commemorate Angola’s 50th Independence Day. According to information obtained by Sport News Africa, FAF has agreed to pay €12 million to Argentina. The higher fee is due to Messi’s expected participation, which is likely to draw a huge crowd.

🇦🇴x🇦🇷𝗟’Angola devra débourser 12 M€ pour le match amical face à l‘Argentine !

Motif : la présence de Lionel Messi, qui devrait remplir le Stade du 11-Novembre.https://t.co/5YhIfNgTIJ

— Sport News Africa (@snewsafrica) October 30, 2025

French media outlet L’Équipe reported that Argentina demanded €10 million from Morocco to stage a friendly this November. However, organizing such a match comes at a cost, and the Angolan Federation is facing criticism.

Angola is now coached by Frenchman Patrice Beaumelle, the former Ivory Coast and MC Alger trainer. He is expected to use the friendly to prepare for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Angola is drawn in Group B alongside record champions Egypt, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.