Lionel Messi drew a huge crowd in Elche, Spain, as supporters gathered in large numbers to watch Argentina train ahead of their upcoming international commitments. Despite no longer playing in European leagues, the global football icon continues to command extraordinary attention wherever he travels. Fans packed the sidelines to catch a glimpse of the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, reaffirming his unmatched worldwide appeal.
Messi shared his gratitude on Instagram, expressing how moved he was by the warm reception in Elche. He said the affection shown by fans—including many Argentinians living abroad—still touches him deeply whenever he returns to Spain. He emphasised that seeing such passion after so many years away remains incredibly special.
Argentina, the reigning World Cup champions, are set to appear as honoured guests in Angola’s celebrations marking 50 years of independence from Portugal. As part of the festivities, a friendly match between Argentina and Angola will take place at the 11 November Stadium, an event reportedly valued at USD 13 million.
Before joining the national team, Messi made a nostalgic stop at Barcelona’s Camp Nou earlier in the week. The stadium, recently reopened after extensive renovation, witnessed an emotional moment as Messi visited the place where he spent 21 unforgettable years and became the club’s all-time leading scorer with 672 goals. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he reflected on how deeply he misses the city and the club that shaped his legendary career.
Camp Nou welcomed fans again for the first time in 895 days with an open training session, where nearly 22,000 spectators attended. Messi’s brief return added to the emotional significance of the reopening.
