SINGAPORE – The excitement is building for football fans in Singapore as it has been officially announced that Lionel Messi will grace the pitch once again! The Argentina national football team, led by the legendary superstar, is slated to play a friendly match in the Lion City in early 2026.

In a press release on March 26, global banking giant HSBC unveiled a partnership with the Argentinian Football Association (AFA), which marks a historic collaboration. As part of this exciting one-year venture, Argentina will also be performing in an exhibition match in India in October 2025. This partnership represents a unique blend of banking and sport, and it’s the first time the AFA will team up with a bank in both Singapore and India.

HSBC has promised its customers and partners an array of exclusive perks, including prime tickets, curated fan experiences, and rare meet-and-greet chances with the players. AFA president Claudio Tapia expressed his enthusiasm about the sponsorship, saying, “Our international expansion continues to create opportunities for prestigious companies like HSBC to join the Argentinian national team family.”

Fans might remember Argentina’s last visit to Singapore back in 2017, where they overwhelming beat the local team 6-0. Sadly, Messi had to withdraw from that match due to wedding preparations, leaving fans disappointed after many had splurged between $40 and $188 for tickets.

Local fan Eu Chun Yee, 29, who had front-row seats in 2017, holds high hopes for Messi’s participation this time. “I definitely wish he’ll play, but I won’t set my expectations too high... Regardless, I would pay to watch, even if he doesn’t play in 2026,” he remarked optimistically. He added, "If he’s on the bench, that’s still a win compared to 2017. There’s always the chance he'll come on and we could see him warm up or during halftime."

Another dedicated supporter, Omarali Suprat, 30, echoed this sentiment, “I’m ready to part with top dollar to see him even for just 10 minutes. Opportunities like this don’t come around often!”

Messi’s unpredictable appearances have made fans anxious. Just this year in 2024, he did not come off the bench in a pre-season game against a Hong Kong XI, which sparked speculation among fans. While some saw it as a snub to China—after he played a friendly match shortly after in Japan—Messi insisted his absence was due to a minor adductor muscle injury. This led to a mixed reaction from the 38,000 fans at the game who had paid up to HK$880 (S$150) for tickets, with some booing him after the match.

Adding fuel to the fire, China responded to the backlash by canceling Argentina's following scheduled friendlies in Hangzhou and Beijing.

With anticipation at an all-time high, the upcoming match in Singapore promises to be an unforgettable event for fans eager to witness the magic of Lionel Messi live in action! Don’t miss out on the chance to see football history in the making!