It’s official : Lionel Messi, the multiple Ballon d’Or winner, will play in Angola. Many football fans in Africa can rejoice.
The coach of the Argentinian world champions, Lionel Scaloni, made it official this Thursday, November 6, 2025. Specifically, he announced the squad selected for the friendly match in Angola on November 14, 2025, featuring superstar Lionel Messi and some new names, including Strasbourg (L1) forward Joaquín Panichelli.
Scaloni has chosen to bring 24 players to Luanda for this gala match in the Angolan capital, as part of the celebrations for Angola’s 50th anniversary of independence.
For this match, the Albiceleste‘s coach will be able to count on his captain, Lionel Messi, as well as several usual starters, including forwards Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
However, he has omitted his starting goalkeeper Emiliano « Dibu » Martínez, who is being rested, in favour of OM’s keeper Gerónimo Rulli and former Nice player Walter Benítez.
Other key players not called up include former Parisian Leandro Paredes (Boca Juniors), Marcos Acuña, Lautaro Rivero, and Gonzalo Montiel (River Plate), as well as goalkeeper Facundo Cambeses (Racing), whose clubs are involved in the decisive phase of the Argentine championship.
Also absent are Marseille captain Leonardo Balerdi and Franco Mastantuono (Real Madrid), both injured.
Scaloni has, however, called up for the first time forward Joaquín Panichelli, Ligue 1’s top scorer (9 goals in 11 matches), rising star Gianluca Prestianni, U20 World Cup runner-up, as well as Máximo Perrone.
The squad will gather in Elche (Spain) before heading to Luanda for the only preparation match of this international break, following the cancellation of the friendly against India.
To host the world champions, Angola had to pay 12 million euros, according to the press.
Full Squad List vs. Angola (Excluding Lionel Messi)
Goalkeepers :
- Gerónimo Rulli (Olympique de Marseille/FRA)
- Walter Benítez (Crystal Palace/ENG)
Defenders:
- Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid/ESP)
- Juan Foyth (Villarreal/ESP)
- Cristian Romero (Tottenham/ENG)
- Nicolás Otamendi (Benfica/POR)
- Marcos Senesi (Bournemouth/ENG)
- Nicolás Tagliafico (Olympique Lyonnais/FRA)
- Valentín Barco (Strasbourg/FRA)
Midfielders:
- Enzo Fernández (Chelsea/ENG)
- Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool/ENG)
- Máximo Perrone (Como/ITA)
- Rodrigo De Paul (Inter Miami/USA)
- Thiago Almada (Atlético Madrid/ESP)
- Giovani Lo Celso (Betis Sevilla/ESP)
- Nicolás González (Atlético Madrid/ESP)
- Gianluca Prestianni (Benfica/POR)
- Nicolás Paz (Como/ITA)
Forwards:
- Giuliano Simeone (Atlético Madrid/ESP)
- Lautaro Martínez (Inter Milan/ITA)
- José Manuel López (Palmeiras/BRA)
- Joaquín Panichelli (Strasbourg/FRA)
- Julián Álvarez (Atlético Madrid/ESP)