The Argentine national men’s football team, also known as “Big Lotus,” will be traveling to Hangzhou, China in March to play two friendly matches, the Hangzhou Daily News reported on January 29. This exciting news was officially announced by the Argentine Football Association, stating that the team will face off against Nigeria at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium.
The trip to China for the Argentine team is scheduled from March 18th to 26th, during which they will also play against Côte d’Ivoire at the Beijing Workers’ Stadium. While details of the games such as time and schedule were not disclosed in the announcement, it is anticipated that these matches will draw significant attention and excitement from football fans.
Of particular interest is the participation of star player Lionel Messi, who is expected to play his first official game in Hangzhou. The Argentine team’s last overseas game was in June 2023, when they won 2-0 against the Australian team at the Beijing Workers Stadium. This upcoming tour to China will surely be highly anticipated by fans and enthusiasts.
However, there had been previous plans for the Argentine team to play against the national football team of China. These plans were unable to materialize due to the World Cup qualifying schedule, which includes two matches for the national football team against Singapore in March. As a result, the national football team had to opt out of the opportunity to face off against the World Cup champion.
The matches are scheduled to take place at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Center Stadium, a venue with a capacity of over 80,000 seats. The sheer size of the stadium suggests that the upcoming games will generate a massive turnout and create a “football storm” in Hangzhou.
This event is sure to be a must-see for football fans, and the anticipation is building as the date draws nearer. The presence of the Argentine team, along with Messi, is expected to draw significant attention and excitement to the matches. Stay tuned for further updates on this exciting event in Hangzhou.