World champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, are gearing up for two exciting friendly matches in Asia.

The first clash will take place on June 15 at Beijing's Workers' Stadium against Australia, offering a rematch of their intense encounter in the last 16 of the Qatar World Cup.

In that memorable game, Messi's brilliance helped secure a 2-1 victory for Argentina, propelling them to World Cup glory.

The announcement of Messi's participation in the friendly match was made by the Argentinian embassy in China on social media platform Weibo.

Additionally, the Argentinian national team disclosed another exciting fixture against Indonesia in Jakarta on June 19 as part of their summer "Asia Tour."

Football Australia's CEO, James Johnson, expressed his enthusiasm for the match in China, highlighting the potential for further strengthening ties between the two countries.

After years of strained relations, this game presents an opportunity to foster cooperation both on and off the football field.

Johnson emphasized the significance of this event, as it marks Australia's return to China for a senior men's national team match after a 15-year hiatus. The fixture against Argentina at the recently renovated Workers' Stadium in Beijing promises an exhilarating contest.

China's resumption of international sporting events comes after the easing of strict virus curbs implemented last year, adding to the anticipation surrounding these highly anticipated matches.

Source: AFP