El Salvador, possible rival of Messi and Argentina in the United States

Argentina have chosen the United States to stage its next two matches during the March FIFA date. Plans had to be rearranged after its proposed tour of China, with games lined up against Ivory Coast and Nigeria, was cancelled, due to “operational issues”. However, the Albiceleste have turned to ‘Plan B’.

Argentina’s preparations for the Copa América

According to Argentine newspaper La Nación, Messi and company will travel to the United States for the international break. The world champion will face Nigeria as planned, but instead of meeting the Ivory Coast, they will face El Salvador. The same outlet indicated that AFA president Claudio Tapia is proposing that both friendly games are held on the East Coast of the United States, as a way for the players and staff to familiarize themselves to the region and acclimatize with June’s Copa América tournament in mind. Argentina face Chile in New Jersey on 25 June.

The Argentine Football Association is working against the clock, and in a strict ‘off the record’ sense, a source close to it stated that “The first match will be against El Salvador and the second will be Nigeria”, although It is still necessary to determine which stadiums can host the games. It is expected that both rivals will be confirmed on Wednesday. Last Thursday, the AFA reached an agreement with the company that will take the squad to the United States.

Messi, again against the ‘Selecta’

It means that Lionel Messi will once again take on David Dóniga’s team, who he faced in a friendly with Inter Miami. The MLS franchise club traveled to San Salvador last month for a friendly which ended without goals, thanks to a great performance from goalkeeper Mario González. However, this will be the first time that the Argentine star has faced El Salvador with the national team. He missed the friendly match between the two teams in March 2015, as he was recovering from an inflamed foot.

The FIFA Men’s ranking was updated last week with Argentina still in pole position - where it has remained since being crowned world champions in Qatar. El Salvador is much further down the list in 81st place. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni had hoped to give his team a run-out against higher-ranking rivals to prepare his defence for this summer’s Copa América. Nigeria meanwhile have shot up 14 places to 28th in the FIFA ranking.

This will be only the third match between the Argentine team and El Salvador. On the previous two occasions, the Albiceleste won by the same score: 2-0. First, in the 1982 World Cup in Spain, and then in the previously-mentioned March 2015 friendly at FedEx Field, Maryland.