Lionel Messi’s Argentina to tackle UAE in Abu Dhabi days before World Cup kickoff

DUBAI: Football fans in the Emirates will be able to get a close look at one of the greatest players of all time only days ahead of what could well be his last World Cup, when Argentina take on the UAE in a friendly match on Nov. 16 at Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium. The Abu Dhabi Sports Council on Monday announced that Lionel Scaloni’s squad will jet into the UAE capital for their final pre-tournament preparations before heading off to Doha. They will hold an open training session at Al-Nahyan Stadium on Nov. 13. Tickets for both events are already on sale.

The final stop before the World Cup, Argentina hold open camp for fans at Al Nahyan Stadium in Abu Dhabi on November 13. The UAE play Messi & Co in a friendly on November 16 at Mohamed bin Zayed Stadium. * To purchase tickets:https://t.co/LgWD1rHPxg pic.twitter.com/jqa0Apueg9

— مجلس أبوظبي الرياضي (@AbuDhabiSC) October 10, 2022

While the squad is packed with stars including Angel Di Maria, Lautaro Martinez and Paulo Dybala, no doubt all eyes will be on Lionel Messi, who will be participating in his fifth, and most likely final World Cup in Qatar. The friendly against the UAE, themselves managed by an Argentine, Rodolfo Arruabarrena, comes only six days before Messi and his colleagues kick off their Qatar 2022 campaign against Saudi Arabia at Lusail Iconic Stadium. The Albicelestes will then face Mexico on Nov. 26 at the same venue before concluding their Group C fixtures by taking on Poland at Stadium 974.