ARGENTINA
Messi and Argentina bound for China in March
The world champions will visit China for two friendly matches during the FIFA international window in March with one of the games against the Dragon’s Team.
With imminent trips to El Salvador, Saudi Arabia, Japan and Hong Kong coming up for Lionel Messi as his Inter Miami side embark on an gruelling international pre-season tour, the Argentine will be adding to his Air Miles collection in March with the Albiceleste set to head to China.
According to well connected Argentine journalist Gastón Edul, Lionel Scaloni’s side will play two friendly games on Chinese soil during the international window in March against the national team and an, as yet to be named opponent from Europe with games set to be staged in Beijing and Hangzhou.
The new 2024 MLS season starts in February and the fixture list has already thrown up a West Coast trip to face LA Galaxy in the second round of league games and should Moca FC beat Nashville SC in the 2024 Concacaf Champions, a trip to the Dominican Republic would also be on the cards for Inter Miami and Messi.
Argentina’s recent China trip
The Albiceleste visited Beijing as recently as June 2023 for a friendly game against Australia, running out 2-0 at the Workers’ Sports Complex with Messi and Germán Pezzella bagging the goals.
Lionel Scaolini’s men then headed to Indonesia for a game against the Asian nation with the striker from Rosario leaving the expedition at that point.