Article by Daniel Scorpie – Published Friday, November 14, 2025 8:03 p.m. / Updated Friday, November 14, 2025 8:17 p.m.
His arrival Lionel Messi in the capital Luanda, for the luxury friendly match supported by the national team of Argentina, caused demonstrations that divided Angola in two. On the one hand, the thousands of fans who dreamed all their lives to see the world champion live, and on the other, the people who revolted at the huge amount spent by the state for a lucky anniversary. The public, which did not even fill the arena of 50,000 seats, witnessed the victory of the guests with 2-0.
The invitation of the Argentina national team caused anger in Angola. While the tickets for the “11 Noiembrie” stadium with a capacity of 50,000 seats sold out in a few minutes, and their prices have exploded on the black market, many Angolans are rioting for the lavish celebration at a time of economic hardship and political repression.
Organized on the occasion of the half-century anniversary of the country's independence, the friendly could cost the Government 17 million euros. But activist groups urged Argentina to cancel the match, citing a deadly crackdown on protesters.
Argentina had asked for 17 million euros, but the Angolan state paid only 12 million after the protest of the “hungry” fans!
So, in the end, it came to the sum of 12 million euros offered to the Buenos Aires federation (AFA)which ensured the participation of the players trained by Lionel Scaloni.
Given the guaranteed presence of Messi, more hundreds of people chanted “we are hungry!”, although the authorities mobilized more than 3,000 security agents to prevent any form of protest.
Captain Lionel Messi and his teammates getting off the coach at Thursday's training / Photo: Imago
However, the great mass of those who flocked to the stadium cheered and welcomed Messi as a superstar, whose name they shouted hysterically from the arrival of the team coach.
The authorities waited for him with the red carpet, and the president of the country, João Lourenço, handed a special trophy to the Argentina captain on the lawn, a kind of world cup inscribed with the number 50, for the anniversary of the liberation of Angola from Portuguese rule.
Chivu's captain from Inter, goal and assist in Luanda!
In the 50,000-seat arena, which was not filled, however, the second match in history between Angola and Argentina was played. On May 30, 2006, in Salerno, before the World Cup in Germany, the South Americans won the first 2-0, with Messi coming on in the 68th minute.
The national teams of Argentina and Angola, at the start of the luxury friendly in Luanda
Lionel Scaloni started with the best team available: Rulli – Foyth, Cristian Romero, Tagliafico, Nicolas Gonzalez – De Paul, Alexis McAllister, Lo Celso – Messi, Lautaro Martinez, Thiago Almada. After the break came in: Kevin MacAllister, Buendia, Perrone, Jose Lopez, Prestianni, Panichelli, the latter replacing Messi in the 86th minute.
Messi and Lautaro Martinez collaborated on the visitors' winning goals: Inter captain Chivu set up Leo to open the scoring in the 43rd minute, only for the roles to be reversed in the 82nd minute, with the world champions' captain scoring from the Serie A leaders' forward's assist.
