Messi Sparks Argentina's Angola Friendly Squad and a Miami Moment of Honor
6 November 2025
Messi Heads Argentina's Angola Friendly Squad
Lionel Messi leads a 24‑man Argentina squad named for a November 14 friendly against Angola in Luanda, part of celebrations for the country’s 50th independence anniversary.
Coach Lionel Scaloni also called in several new faces, including striker Joaquín Banishi le from Strasbourg, and rising talents Gianluca Prestiani and Máximo Perroni. The World Cup champions named their squad for the trip to Luanda, with Messi again supported in attack by Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
In a bid to balance youth and experience, Scaloni opted for a mix of veterans and fresh blood, highlighting the group’s potential for the future while keeping the core competitive for the close of the year.
Squad Selections, Absences, and Preparations
The coach also rested his first-choice goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez, choosing Gerónimo Rulli and Walter Benítez between the posts instead. Several familiar names were left out due to club commitments, including Leandro Paredes (PSG, now tied to Boca Juniors), Marcos Acuña, Lautaro Rivero, and Gonzalo Montiel, along with goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses (Racing) for this window.
Also absent are captain Leonardo Balerdi of Marseille and Franco Mastantuono of Real Madrid, both sidelined by injuries. On the other hand, Argentina welcomed for the first time Joaquín Banishi le, a nine‑goal Ligue 1 scorer, joins Gianluca Prestiani, runner‑up at the Under-20 World Cup, and midfielder Máximo Perroni in the expanded roster.
The team will begin training in Elche, Spain, before traveling to Luanda for the single preparatory match of this international window, following the cancellation of the India fixture.
Angola Hosting and Messi’s Miami Moment
Reports suggest Angola invested €12 million to host the World Champions for this showcase clash.
Messi tribute
During a business forum at the Kasia Center, Lionel Messi was presented with the Key to the City of Miami by Mayor Francis Suárez, a high‑level honor for the Argentinian superstar.
“Thank you very much, I’m extremely honored,” Messi said. “We feel much love and gratitude in this city, and receiving this recognition is a great honor for me and my family.”
The mayor added, “I wanted to give you this key as a gesture of appreciation for what you’ve given to our city, our country, and the world of football.”
Jorge Mas, one of Inter Miami’s owners, echoed the warm welcome: “This is a simple gift from the city that has captured our hearts. It’s not just for you, but for your wife Antonella and your beautiful family, so you always feel at home here.”
Messi reflected on his Paris experience and his move to Inter Miami in 2023, noting the initial difficulty adapting to a new country and life after Barcelona, but emphasizing how welcoming Miami has been and how the decision to move was family‑driven and transformative for his career. He underlined that life in Miami has been magical since arrival, with a warm reception from day one.
Since joining Inter Miami on July 15, 2023, Messi helped the club win its first trophy, the Leagues Cup, just days after his debut, and later powered the team to the 2024 Supporters’ Shield and a historic points record for MLS in a single season. Individually, he earned MLS Player of the Year honors in 2024 and the 2025 Golden Boot award, and he recently extended his contract through 2028.
As Inter Miami prepares for the round of 16 of the playoffs against Nashville SC at Fort Lauderdale’s stadium, the club aims to continue its remarkable MLS journey with one of football’s all‑time greats on the field.
And if the match goes to extra time, you can bet Messi will still have a few tricks up his sleeve—because when soccer’s legend wakes up, even gravity takes a left turn just to watch him work.
