Messi, Argentina To Play Friendly In Beijing

Lionel Messi will lead world champions Argentina in a friendly against Australia in Beijing, the country said on Monday, followed by another game in Indonesia.

The Argentina embassy in China said the World Cup winners would play Australia on June 15, bringing Messi to the country for the first time since 2017.

It will mark the seventh time the 35-year-old has visited China and comes at a time when his future at Paris Saint-Germain is the subject of intense speculation. A source close to the player has told Reuters he had received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season.

The clash on June 15 at the Workers' Stadium in Beijing is a rematch of Argentina and Australia's meeting in the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup. Messi scored in a 2-1 win for Argentina and they went on to win the World Cup.

News of the match against the Socceroos quickly went viral on Chinese social media, with many fans voicing eagerness to watch the game.

"If I can get a ticket, I wouldn't mind not having a girlfriend for a whole year," one fan quipped on social media.

Argentina also announced another friendly, against Indonesia in Jakarta on June 19, as part of a summer Asia tour. (Agencies)