It’s now official: the Argentina team confirmed that its duel against Nigeriawhich was scheduled to be played in China, will move to the United Statesafter authorities in the city of Hangzhou, where it was originally going to be played, canceled this match and another against the Ivory Coast because “the conditions were not ripe.”
However, this Thursday, the Albiceleste team itself reported through its official channels that The match against Nigeria and another against El Salvador will be in North American territory, one in Los Angeles and the other in Philadelphia.
Thus, Argentina and its captain Lionel Messi will face the Catrachos on March 22 at the Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and the African team on March 26 at the Memorial Coliseum in Los Angelesboth still with schedules to be defined.
It is worth remembering that in the middle of the year the America Cup 2024 in the United States, so these duels will serve as good practice for the South American team before the great tournament.
Why were games in China cancelled?
Despite the authorities of the city where the matches were scheduled against Nigeria and Ivory Coast They excused themselves saying that the events did not maturevarious media around the world pointed out that the real reason was that people in the Asian country were very upset because in the duel between Inter Miami and the Hong Kong team, the Argentine did not see action on the field, disappointing his followers. from that country that sold out tickets to see it.
“As a commercial event, a company and the Argentine soccer team negotiated that the team would play a friendly match in March of this year in the city of Hangzhou. “In view of the currently known reasons, according to the competent authorities, the conditions for holding the friendly match are not ripe, therefore, we have decided to cancel it,” Hangzhou authorities said in a statement.
Shortly before, China’s sports authorities had announced that they would take measures in accordance with the terms and conditions established with the organizing company, since, according to the secretary of culture, sports and tourism, Kevin Yeung, there was an agreement for Messi to play at least 45 minutes.
For their part, both Lionel Messi and his coach explained repeatedly that the absence was due to physical impediments, since Leo had inflammation in his adductor muscle.
The match against Ivory Coast has not yet been announced, but it could take place in the United States, since the albiceleste team announced that its North American tour will be from March 18 to 26 and they only announced the games on the 22nd and 26th, which which leaves a space of 4 previous days in which that game would fit.
Keep reading:
· Do I veto Messi? Argentina’s friendly games in China canceled
· Messi broke the silence and explained in video why he did not play against Hong Kong
· Inter Miami dominated Real Salt Lake in its debut in the 2024 MLS season