Argentina to tour US after China cancels friendlies in Messi spat / Photo: Juan MABROMATA - AFP
-
Nokia says AI, cloud boosted sales in second quarter
-
Hundreds hospitalised in Japan heatwave 'disaster'
-
Repsol says profit more than triples on higher oil prices
-
Renault says sales stalled in first half
-
TotalEnergies says profit doubled on Mideast war
-
EasyJet says profits nosedive on Mideast war
-
Giant swing on Swiss peak aims to boost summer tourism as Alps warm
-
Modi vows punishment for exam fraud fuelling India protests
-
ASEAN to call for open straits as US-Iran war casts shadow
-
Six candidates in race to lead UN set for televised debate
-
AI catches up with humans to score 100% at top maths contest
-
Comic-Con kicks off with Marvel's return
-
South Korea election office raided in fake turnout figures probe: investigators
-
Dutch riders dreaming of crazy party corner of Alpe d'Huez
-
Killer whales: orcas blow fish to bits 'for fun', study finds
-
Houthis target Red Sea shipping as US hits Iran
-
Deadly wildfires force thousands from homes in parts of Europe
-
Record-equalling Red Sox streak halted at 15 wins
-
Tech bounce lifts Asia stocks, oil extends gains on US-Iran fears
-
Messi-less Miami beat Fire 3-2 to spoil Lewandowski's MLS debut
-
Surrounded by militias, Sudanese fear endless cycle of war
-
Mercedes expect Hungary challenge from Hamilton and Ferrari
-
Commonwealth Games 'where champions are made' despite slimmed down model, argues president
-
In Ghana, one man's race to save critically endangered fish
-
Trump family project in Albania has already caused 'irreparable' damage: NGOs
-
Wilson captain, Slipper absent in Kiss's first Wallabies squad
-
Bollywood blast master keeps it real with fire and fury
-
New Mideast fighting puts eurozone rate-setters on alert
-
Tearful fights, edible offerings: A glimpse into the Maradona trial
-
Venezuelans search for animal companions lost in the quakes
-
What's the deal with peptides? The hyped market under US review
-
Argentine Football Association says US did not detain its president
-
Tesla shares fall as Musk touts ambitious -- and costly -- plans
-
June heatwave cost UK economy more than £1bn: study
-
InterContinental Hotels Group PLC Announces Transaction in Own Shares - July 23
-
Qoder Launches Qoder Security, Putting Three Layers of Security into the AI Coding Session
-
Empire Metals Limited Announces Management Appointments
-
Caledonia Mining Corporation Plc: Blanket Exploration Results
-
Tocvan Discovers New High-Grade At-Surface Silver-Gold Zone 900 m East of Pilot Facility at Gran Pilar Project
-
Houthis claim Red Sea tanker strikes as US hits Iran again
-
Google-parent Alphabet beats expectations, cloud revenue nearly doubles
-
Wildfires ravage parts of southern France, Italy and Spain
-
US announces civilian nuclear deal with Saudi Arabia
-
Alphabet beats expectations in second quarter, cloud revenue nearly doubles
-
Tesla shares dip after profit misses expectations
-
Trump threatens Iran infrastructure, Tehran vows 'eye for eye'
-
Red Sox tie club record with 15th straight MLB win
-
US teen withdraws lawsuit against Meta over social media addiction
-
US eyes offshore nuclear reactors
-
Lebanon PM says Beirut working for 'complete Israeli withdrawal'
Argentina to tour US after China cancels friendlies in Messi spat
The Argentina Football Association (AFA) said Thursday the national team will play two friendlies in the United States in March after China cancelled matches in a spat over a Lionel Messi no-show in Hong Kong.
The world champions will play El Salvador in Philadelphia on March 22 and Nigeria in Los Angeles four days later, the AFA said on its website.
They were meant to play Nigeria in Hangzhou and African champions Ivory Coast in Beijing, but these matches were cancelled after Argentina captain Messi did not play in a match on February 4 -- taken by China as a political snub.
The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner is idolized by fans in China but stayed on the bench during Inter Miami's 4-1 win in a pre-season tour match against a Hong Kong select XI.
A near 40,000 sellout crowd, having paid upwards of 1,000 Hong Kong dollars ($125) to see the 36-year-old superstar in action, chanted "Refund!", gave thumbs-down signs and booed Messi and the team's co-owner David Beckham after the final whistle.
Messi insists his absence was forced by injury.
The United States will host the Copa America in June and July, where Argentina will seek to retain the crown it took in Brazil in 2021.
R.Chavez--AT