The Argentine national team will play a friendly match against Mauritania next Friday, the 27th, at La Bombonera stadium. The match has been surrounded by controversy over ticket prices. Many Argentine fans complained on social media about the high prices. General admission tickets started at over US$65, and the most expensive ones were around US$335. However, the Messi factor has once again boosted ticket sales in recent hours.

The captain of the Albiceleste is facing his final matches with the national team and fans are desperate to witness their idol’s last dance on Argentine soil. Qatar 2022 seemed like a definitive farewell but these past four years, with another Copa América title along the way, are the prelude to the end. The match against Mauritania appears to be the last Buenos Aires game prior the World Cup, and this stirs up a range of emotions that ticket prices haven’t been able to dampen.

Beyond the sporting context, the AFA has prepared a post-match show for the public with two musical performances. The first will be by Damas Gratis, fronted by Pablo Lescano, one of the most prominent figures in Argentine cumbia.

The second will be Mala Fama, with Hernán Coronel as the group’s central figure and the group have been performing throughout the country in recent weeks. Both acts have also helped to fill Boca Juniors’ stadium for the match against Mauritania, despite the controversy surrounding ticket prices.

In total, around 57,200 fans will be able to enjoy the three-time world champions and another footballing masterclass from Messi as Argentina’s captain.

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