More than 1.5 million fans have applied to buy tickets for Argentina match against minnows Panama at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires.
The fans are eager and excited to watch live their hero Lionel Messi who inspired Argentina to World Cup triumph in Qatar last year, but apparently, the available tickets are for only 63,000 fans.
Over 5 million Argentines took to the streets to celebrate their triumph in Qatar in December as they paraded to witness football’s most prestigious accolade. Fans are looking forward to watching their team live for the first time since that World Cup, but that might not be possible for some due to availability of fewer tickets.
Messi had been expected to retire from international football after inspiring his motherland to their first World Cup trophy since 1986, but the seven-time Ballon D’or winner was unwilling to do that. He said he wanted to carry on a bit longer so he could wear the national team jersey as a world champion.
“He is in good shape, he wants to keep coming. When he tells me that he doesn’t feel good, we’ll see.” Messi’s national team coach Lionel Scaloni said on Tuesday.
The fans are crazy about their national team, and Messi is expected to lead his country on Thursday against Panama after which they will play the Island of Curacao on March 28 in Santiago de Estero.
For those who will not be lucky enough to get inside the stadium, they will be able to watch the match for free on television after the government decided to broadcast it freely.
Scaloni promised their fans that regardless of the opponents, they will not be reluctant.
“The aim is to keep playing at the same level. Now it will be hardee than ever because everyone will want to beat us.”
