More than 1.5 million enthusiasts implemented for 63,000 to be had tickets for the fit in opposition to Central American minnows Panama on the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.
Football-mad Argentines have been out in even higher numbers following the Albiceleste’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over France in December. An estimated 5 million folks thronged the streets of Buenos Aires a couple of days later for the trophy parade.
Such was once the group that the parade needed to be deserted lengthy earlier than it reached central Buenos Aires because it was once already hours at the back of time table.
Messi were extensively anticipated to retire from global soccer after the general in Doha, by which he scored two objectives and a shoot-out spot-kick, however the Paris Saint-Germain ahead mentioned he sought after to hold on somewhat longer so he may just put on the blue and white Argentina jersey as an international champion.
“He’s in good shape, he wants to keep coming. When he tells me that he doesn’t feel good, we’ll see,” trainer Lionel Scaloni mentioned on Tuesday.
“At the moment he is happy with the national team.”
The expectation was once fairly soured previous this month when two males fired pictures at a closed grocery store belonging to the circle of relatives of Messi’s spouse, earlier than leaving a menacing message aimed on the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.
“Messi, we’re waiting for you. Javkin is a narco, he won’t take care of you,” mentioned the handwritten message left at the floor, in connection with Pablo Javkin, the mayor of Messi’s place of birth Rosario, round 320 kilometers north of buenos aires.
Messi, even though, has taken all of it in his stride, as his father identified.
“I spoke to the kid and he told me: ‘relax’,” jorge messi advised newshounds.
For the mayor of Rosario, it was once extra of a exposure stunt than a real risk.
“What story goes more quickly viral in the world than an attack on Messi?” Javkin mentioned.
While it will indirectly have an effect on Messi, the incident did spotlight a rising downside within the 35-year-old’s house the city.
Rosario is a port town at the Parana river that has progressively develop into a nerve heart for drug trafficking and essentially the most violent town in Argentina, with 287 murders in 2022.
A birthday party setting is anticipated in Buenos Aires for the group’s aggressive homecoming.
With 20,000 puts within the 83,000-capacity stadium reserved for invitees, the remainder tickets have been snapped up inside of two hours of happening sale.
The most cost-effective value 12,000 pesos ($60) as much as 49,000 pesos ($245), which is greater than part the common per 30 days wage within the South American nation.
Argentine soccer federation president Claudio Tapia mentioned the frame had gained greater than 130,000 requests for media accreditation, in a stadium that has skill for simply 344 reporters.
“We would love to be able to accommodate everyone, but we would need two … stadiums, just for journalists. The madness for Argentina is total,” mentioned Tapia.
Those no longer fortunate sufficient to get within the stadium will no less than be capable to watch the fit without spending a dime on tv after the federal government made up our minds to broadcast it freely.
Scaloni promised them that the group would no longer leisure on their laurels, without reference to the instance or fighters.
“The aim is to keep playing at the same level,” he mentioned.
“Now, it will be harder than ever because everyone will want to beat us.”
After Thursday’s fit, Argentina will play the island of Curacao on Match 28 in Santiago del Estero.