Lionel Messi’s return to the Argentina national team will be rather interesting after it was revealed that there are a number of contract clauses included in the upcoming friendly with Morocco.
The 31-year-old Barcelona captain’s international future was shrouded in mystery following Argentina’s exit in last summer’s World Cup, but reports did suggest that he would return for the 2019 Copa America.
However, it has now been revealed that the Argentine Football Association has put forward certain ‘rules’ to the Royal Moroccan Football Federation relating to Messi.
According to Al Akhbar (via Le360 Sport), a FRMF source has said that one of the clauses includes photographs not to be taken of the Argentina captain after the match.
In fact, the Moroccan players are not allowed to take selfies with him or even with the fans.
One of the rules will also apply to the media, specifically for the fact that they won’t have the opportunity to interview Messi before or after the match.
Credit: PA
Yes, those are two of the so-called conditions reached between the FRMF and Argentine FA, but it’s not as interesting as the next one.
So, the Moroccan players are not allowed to be aggressive towards him, essentially restricting them to soft tackles (or to simply avoid them).
That’s right, one of the best players in the world will become invincible against the opposition.
How can this be any better?
Credit: PA
Well, the FRMF will also be responsible for transporting the Argentine delegation from Spain to Morocco, mainly for how Lionel Scaloni’s men will be playing Venezuela at the Wanda Metropolitano on 23rd March.
Al Akhbar’s source has also claimed that the name of the hotel that the Argentina squad would be staying at will not be revealed — that’s a simple request, to be fair — while Moroccan authorities will be responsible for providing security during their stay in the country.
With all of that out of the way, the Argentine FA has promised the FRMF that it would fulfill one request if all of the requirements are met.
Morocco will host Argentina at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium on 26th March.
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