After enthralling the city’s soccer fans for five days, the Lionel Messi—led Argentine team on Monday headed for Dhaka for a friendly match against Nigeria, winding up a historic trip to India during which the talismanic striker led his team for the first time in an international game.
The Argentines are scheduled to take on Nigeria at the Bangabandhu Stadium in Dhaka on Tuesday.
The 23—member squad, with the team officials and coach Alejandro Sabella arrived at the airport here in a bus amid tight security before taking off for the Bangladeshi capital.
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Messi, who set up the winning goal for Argentina with a corner kick that was headed in by Nicolas Otamendi in their friendly against Venezuela, was the cynosure of all eyes during the team’s stay here.
The shy 24—year—old, unarguably the best footballer in the world right now, was his usual quiet self during the trip even though his presence in the city whipped up a frenzy.
Even while the team departed, there were quite a few number of Argentine fans who had gathered at the airport to bid Messi their goodbye.
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They chanted his name as the team bus got in to the airport around 8.15 am to board a Dhaka—bound flight at 9.25 am.