Messi to Lead Argentina in Friendly Against Angola on November 14: Lionel Messi will once again wear the captain’s armband for Argentina as they take on Angola in a friendly match on November 14 in Luanda. Manager Lionel Scaloni has announced a 24-man squad, which includes three new faces making their first call-up to the national team.
New Talent Joins the Squad
The fresh additions are Benfica winger Gianluca Prestianni, Strasbourg forward Joaquin Panichelli, and Como midfielder Maximo Perrone – all receiving their first-ever invitations to represent the South American champions, according to a report by Xinhua.
The match in Luanda will be Argentina’s only friendly during the upcoming FIFA international window.
Lionel Messi Leads a Star-Studded Attack
As expected, Lionel Messi headlines Argentina’s attack, joined by Lautaro Martinez and Julian Alvarez. The squad will, however, be missing star goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who is still recovering from a calf injury.
The game also offers one of the final chances for Scaloni to test his lineup and tactics before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada.
Lionel Messi Keeps Breaking Records
Just last month, Lionel Messi made more history by becoming the player with the most assists in men’s international football. He achieved this milestone after setting up two goals in Argentina’s 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico in a friendly at Chase Stadium.
Those two assists brought his international total to 60, surpassing Neymar and Landon Donovan, who each have 58. With that, Lionel Messi now sits just three assists short of 400 across his entire professional career.
Golden Boot Glory in the MLS
The Argentine legend also had a remarkable domestic season, winning the 2025 MLS Golden Boot after scoring 29 goals in his second full season with Inter Miami. Along with his goals, he added 19 assists, outperforming LAFC’s Denis Bouanga and Nashville SC’s Sam Surridge, who each scored 24 goals.
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With that feat, Lionel Messi became Inter Miami’s first-ever Golden Boot winner and the first Argentine to claim the award since Valentín “Taty” Castellanos did so with New York City FC in 2021.
Argentina Squad for the Angola Friendly
Goalkeepers: Geronimo Rulli, Walter Benitez.
Defenders: Nahuel Molina, Juan Foyth, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Otamendi, Marcos Senesi, Nicolas Tagliafico, Valentin Barco.
Midfielders: Alexis Mac Allister, Maximo Perrone, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada, Giovani Lo Celso, Nicolas Paz.
Forwards: Lionel Messi, Giuliano Simeone, Gianluca Prestianni, Nicolas Gonzalez, Lautaro Martinez, Jose Manuel Lopez, Julian Alvarez, Joaquin Panichelli.
Argentina fans will be eager to see how the mix of experience and new talent performs, with Messi once again leading the way for the world champions.
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