Angola slammed over $32 million Messi friendly | OneFootball

Angola have come under fire after it emerged the country reportedly spent a staggering $32 million to host a friendly against Argentina featuring Lionel Messi.

The match, scheduled for 14 November at Luanda’s Estádio 11 de Novembro, is part of the nation’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations, but critics say the spending is completely out of touch with reality

Reports suggest $20 million went to the Argentine team, with $12 million specifically for Messi. The stadium’s refurbishment reportedly cost $13.6 million. Meanwhile, Angola is grappling with serious social problems: nearly 48% of children suffer stunted growth, over 22% of the population is undernourished, and many families are forced to scavenge for food.

Civil society groups and the opposition party UNITA have condemned the government, calling the match a distraction from poverty and hunger. Albertina Ngolo of UNITA said that while millions are poured into football, “thousands of Angolan children continue to die every day from hunger, cholera, malaria and lack of basic sanitation.”

For the government, the fixture is a symbol of national pride. For many Angolans, however, it is a glaring example of misplaced priorities, where football spectacle sharply contrasts with the harsh realities faced by ordinary people.