Lionel Messi set to face England for first time EVER as FA line up prestigious friendly vs Argentina
LIONEL MESSI could be about to face England for the first time with the Football Association opening talks for a bumper international clash.
One of football’s biggest rivalries could be about to be renewed for the first time in nearly 20 years at Wembley.
World Cup winners Argentina are believed to be charging a £3.9m appearance fee for friendlies since their Messi-inspired success in Qatar.
But FA chief executive Mark Bullingham says that cost is not an issue as he looks to line up the Three Lions against the icon.
He said: “The money is not the challenge. We actually have relatively few friendly opportunities now if you look at the way the international calendar is structured, but it [Argentina] is a game we would like to get on at some point, for sure.”
England and Argentina clashes have produced a host of memorable moments throughout the years.
And from Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” in 1986 to David Beckham’s red card at the 1998 World Cup, they always produce a talking point.
But the two nations have not come face-to-face on the international stage since two goals from Michael Owen fired England to a 3-2 win in a friendly played in Switzerland in November 2005.
Argentina last travelled to Wembley in February 2000 for what finished in a goalless draw while they last hosted the Three Lions way back in Buenos Aires in June 1977 in a 1-1 draw.
Barcelona legend Messi, who swapped Paris Saint-Germain to join ex-England captain Beckham’s Inter Miami in the MLS this summer, could now soon be in action under the arch.
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He already has great memories from Wembley having produced a man of the match performance to down Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final there.
And just last year in June he led Argentina to a 3-0 victory over European champions Italy in the special Finalissima showdown after their 2021 Copa America success.
Bullingham added: “There are various conversations we have had with lots of countries about friendlies against them.
“They [Argentina] are one of the countries we have spoken to at some point, but there is nothing in the pipeline for them at this stage.”
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