Top seed Jannik Sinner brushes aside fellow-Italian Lorenzo Sonego, while sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas falls to Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro
sports2 days ago
Lionel Messi will lead world champion Argentina against Australia in a friendly in Beijing next month, with his first visit to China in six years set to spark a mass scramble for tickets.
Separately, Argentina also announced another friendly, against Indonesia in Jakarta on June 19, as part of a summer "Asia Tour".
The Argentina embassy in China said on Monday that Argentina would play Australia on June 15, bringing Messi to the country for the first time since 2017.
It will mark the seventh time the 35-year-old has visited China and comes at a time when his future at Paris St. Germain is the subject of intense speculation.
A source close to Messi has told Reuters he had received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season, though his father said Messi had not "signed or agreed" a deal.
Messi has received a fervent welcome on each of his previous visits to China, which has a huge soccer fan base despite the struggles of the men's national team, who has played at the World Cup only once.
Since his first China trip in 2005, Messi has played for Argentina or his former club Barcelona in friendlies. The La Liga side beat Beijing Guoan 3-0 in a friendly in 2010.
News of the match against the Socceroos quickly went viral on Chinese social media, with many fans voicing eagerness to watch the game and see record seven-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi play.
"If I can get a ticket, I wouldn't mind not having a girlfriend for a whole year," one fan quipped on social media.
Australia and Argentina last met at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in the round of 16, where Messi was among the scorers as his team won 2-1.
"To secure a match against the world champions Argentina reflects Australia's standing within world football and the respect that the top nations have for both our senior national teams," said Football Australia CEO James Johnson.
Australia last played in China in 2008 when they drew 0-0 with the hosts in a World Cup qualifier in southwestern Yunnan province.
ALSO READ:
Top seed Jannik Sinner brushes aside fellow-Italian Lorenzo Sonego, while sixth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas falls to Brazilian qualifier Thiago Monteiro
sports2 days ago
Rahul top scores for LSG but Samson and Jurel get RR home with their 121-run stand
sports2 days ago
Hosts win fifth and final international match in Lahore by nine runs
sports2 days ago
Sheffield United relegated after huge loss at Newcastle, In-form Everton assured of Premier League survival with narrow victory over Brentford
sports2 days ago
The Capitals posted their highest total in the tournament to set up a ten-run win over their gritty rivals
sports2 days ago
The hosts dominate with a total of 194 medals including 65 golds with Saudi in second place and Kuwait in third
sports2 days ago
Dubai Amateur 17-year-old Oscar Craig continues to showcase his impressive form with third-round level par 72 at Saadiyat Beach Golf Club
sports2 days ago
Twice Grand Slam champion Alcaraz is set to make his Olympic debut while Nadal will be eyeing his third gold medal after wins in Beijing and Rio
sports2 days ago