Argentina will close out its 2025 international calendar with a long trip to Africa for its final FIFA international fixture of the year — a friendly against Angola, scheduled for November 14 in Luanda.
The match has drawn some criticism due to the perceived level of the opponent so close to the 2026 World Cup, but there’s a strong financial reason behind the decision to play it.
According to African outlets such as Sport News Africa, Angola agreed to pay an astonishing $12 million to host the world champions. Journalist Romain Molina reported that “several countries declined the opportunity because of the high appearance fees requested by Argentina, but Luanda accepted.”
“To host Argentina’s national team as part of the Independence Day celebrations during the November break, Angola will pay around $12 million,” Molina wrote on X.
For Angola, the motivation is clear — the rare opportunity to face Lionel Messi and Argentina’s world-class squad on home soil. The match is expected to generate major local interest, with the 48,000-seat stadium in Luanda likely to be sold out.
Currently, Angola sits 89th in the FIFA ranking, while Argentina is ranked 2nd, just behind Spain.
Too soon? How? Did I say he is becoming a superstar next week, next month, or even next year? LOL
— Your own words
“This kid is on his way of hecoming something big.”
On what basis have you made this comment? Has he proved himself in a different league? Different manager? Simione is playing because of his father, pure fact.
This terrible bayern leverkusen coach didn’t give claudio echeverri chances against small team but suddenly playing him against big team like psg and buyern Munich when it is certain that leverkusen will lose by big margin . I don’t understand what is his intentions?
Spot on. I was raising my eyebrows as well. Very weird decission.
Anyways Man City is not happy either about the limited minutes Echieveri has played with Liverkusen and reportedly intending to review his loan spell.
Currently, the second most importand Atleti plsyer after Julian Alvarez is Giuliano Simeone. This kid is on his way of hecoming something big.
Not a fair comment. Simeone is surrounded by his countrymen, and has been given ample opportunities. Paz, Barco, Garna, Buonanotte, escheveri, and et al. have to fight every game.
Paz is the best technical player after Messi, and yet is a bench warmer in the NT
Read my comment well. You are tuned to a different radio.
Yes. I am not down playing Simeone (he is a decent player with speed, a fighter, etc.).
“This kid is on his way of hecoming something big.” — too soon. He has not faced the same hurdles like Paz, Garna, Escheveri, etc.
Too soon? How? Did I say he is becoming a superstar next week, next month, or even next year? LOL
Panichelli, Barco, Prestianni, Buendia..so many inform players..they may get Argentine NT callup..
This..I told here before…If you pay money..AFA ready to play against any team..
No big teams are ready to pay to play against Argentina..recently Morocco refused..
Another Top performance from Aaron Anselmino.
Man of the match performance…
If injury free he will be Pilar of the argentine national team …
Money money Mooooonnneeeyy Mooooneeyyyyyy