Lionel Messi attracted a massive crowd during Argentina's open training session in Elche, Spain, ahead of their friendly match against Angola. Over 20,000 fans packed the Martínez Valero stadium on Thursday morning to witness the World Champions and Messi in action. The atmosphere was electric, resembling a matchday in Buenos Aires, with flags, chants, and a giant banner featuring Maradona, Messi, and the heroes of the Qatar 2022 World Cup.
The open training session was scheduled as Argentina prepares for their friendly match against Angola in Luanda. Spain was chosen as the training base due to its excellent facilities and proximity to Africa. The team will travel to Angola on Friday for the match, which coincides with Angola's celebration of 50 years of independence from Portugal.
During a break in the training session, staff from Elche presented Messi with a customized Elche jersey bearing his name and the number 10. Messi was visibly surprised and touched by the gesture, reacting with a smile and a look of disbelief. The photo of Messi holding the Elche jersey quickly went viral.
Messi took to Instagram to express his gratitude for the warm reception he received in Elche. "I haven't been here in a while and honestly the affection they always showed me everywhere I went still excites me," Messi wrote. "Thank you very much to everyone who came today, there were a lot of Argentinians too!!! It's always a pleasure to see them again!!".
The Argentine National Team's return to Alicante holds historical significance, as the province served as their base during the 1982 World Cup. The Albiceleste last played in Alicante in October 2019, defeating Ecuador 6-1 at the Martínez Valero Stadium in Elche. This time, Messi returns to Spain as a World Champion, ready to lead Argentina in their preparations for the 2026 World Cup. After the game against Angola, Messi and several other senior players will be released, while the rest of the squad will remain in camp until November 18. A second friendly, initially planned against India, was canceled. The coaching staff is focused on maintaining rhythm and testing new tactical options for Argentina's upcoming schedule in 2025.
