Messi lands, Luanda errupts: Angola trembles with excitement ahead of historic clash

Argentina have arrived in Africa... and Luanda has erupted like a volcano.

The moment Lionel Scaloni's squad stepped off the plane, it was as if an entire nation inhaled at once - and then exploded. Hundreds of Angolan fans swarmed the airport perimeter, chanting, singing, climbing fences, waving homemade banners, and doing anything humanly possible for even a blink-long glimpse of Lionel Messi.

This wasn't an arrival. It was a pilgrimage.

Phones in the air, flags in hand, kids on shoulders - the crowd surged as if chasing a miracle. When Messi finally appeared, the noise became a roar you could feel in your chest. Fans sprinted alongside the team bus, filming, crying, screaming his name like a mantra:

"Messi! Messi! Messi!"

Luanda hadn't seen a superstar of this magnitude in years, and the reaction bordered on football hysteria. For many, this was a once-in-a-lifetime sighting of the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, and Angola embraced it with every drop of emotion it had.

Although the madness didn't start in Africa.

Before the trip, over 25,000 fans filled Elche's Martínez Valero for Argentina's open training session. Rondos, sprints, finishing drills - all treated like a Champions League night every time Messi touched the ball. The AFA thanked Elche for the love and then flew straight into another continent, ready to erupt.

Now, Angola prepares for the biggest football night in its recent history.

On Friday, at the 11 de Novembro Stadium, the African nation will host the world champions, a game that is tactical preparation for Argentina - and pure celebration for Angola.

Messi's African return sets Angola alight: they pay fortune for friendly against Argentina

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES

Friday

13.20: (1.40) Japan (4.70) Ghana (8.00)

13.20: (1.45) Japan (4.50) Ghana (7.00)

14.00: (1.32) S.Korea (5.30) Bolivia (9.50)

16.00: (1.85) Oman (3.40) Sudan (4.60)

18.00: (2.95) Kenya (3.05) Equatorial Guinea (2.60)

19.00: (13.0) Angola (6.50) Argentina (1.22)

19.00: (3.45) Uzbekistan (3.15) Egypt (2.25)

19.30: (3.80) Saudi Arabia (3.35) Ivory Coast (2.05)

19.45: (1.60) Tunisia (3.70) Jordan (6.25)

22.00: (1.15) Morocco (7.75) Mozambique (19.0)

Saturday

05.00: (3.05) Venezuela (3.35) Australia (2.35)

***odds are subject to change***