Lionel Messi and his Argentinian compatriots will return elated native Soil on Thursday, when they go to the field for they first match Since winning the World Cup in The State of Qatar.
More than 1.5 million fans applied for 63,000 available tickets for the match against Central America sinks into Panama at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
The Argentines were obsessed with football out in Even greater numbers after the dramatic Albiceleste penalty shoot-out victory over France in December. An estimated five million people They thronged the streets of Buenos Aires a few days later for the trophy procession.
This was the crowd the show had to be abandoned Long before it reached the center of Buenos Aires as it was already hours behind schedule.
Messi’s retirement was widely expected international football after final in Doha, in Who scored two goals and a shot-out Penalty kick, but PSG forward he said wanted to carry on A little longer so he can wear the blue and white Argentina jersey world hero.
“he in good shape wants to keep coming. When he told me he didn’t feel good, we will see. At the moment he is happy with the national team”,” coach Lionel Scaloni said on Tuesday.
Expectations soured a bit earlier this month when the two men They shot at a closed supermarket belonging to family of Messi’s wife, before leaving a threatening message targeting the Ballon d’Or seven times winner.
Messi, we’re waiting for You. Jafkin drugs, he won’t care of You,” said the handwritten letter left on the earth, in Referring to Mayor Pablo Gafkin of Rosario, Messi’s birthplace, is about 320 kilometers away north of Buenos Aires.
But Messi took it all in His step, as his father pointing to out.
Jorge Messi told reporters, “I spoke to the child and he told me, ‘Relax.'”
about the mayor of Rosario, it was more of More of a publicity stunt than a real threat.
“What story He goes more Spreading fast in the world from attack on Messi? Jafkin said.
While it may not directly Affect Messi, the incident highlights are increasing problem in 35-year-old home town.
Everyone will want to be defeated us
a party The weather is expected in Buenos Aires for The team is competitive home-at.
With 20,000 places in The stadium, which seats 83,000, is booked for invited, the remaining tickets have been snapped up up within two hours of Going on sale.
the cheapest cost 12,000 pesos ($60) up to 49,000 pesos ($245), ie more from half Average monthly salary in South American country.
Argentinian football Federation President Claudio Tapia said body He received more More than 130,000 requests for media Accreditation, in A stadium that accommodates for just 344 journalists.
“We’d like to be able to accommodate everyone, but we’re craving it need two courts just for journalists. Madness for Argentina total, Tapia said.
Those no lucky Enough to get into the stadium will at least be able to watch match for free on TV after government decided to broadcast It’s free of Cost.
Their Scaloni promise is that team He won’t rest on Their glories, regardless of appropriate or opponents.
The goal is to preserve playing at the same level. Now, it’s going to be harder than ever because everyone else is going to do it want to be defeated us,” He said.
after Thursday matchArgentina will play Al Jazeera of Curacao on March 28th in Santiago del Estero.
