Argentina Renames Training Center to Messi in a Momentous Occasion
In a grand ceremony held on March 25th, attended by the entire Argentina national team, the President of AFA, Claudio Tapia, announced the renaming of the training center “Casa de Ezeiza” to “Lionel Andres Messi,” in honor of the current captain of the Argentina national team. The 35-year-old superstar, alongside President Tapia, unveiled the new signage outside the training center, adorned with the Argentine flag.
“Today marks a special occasion. I want to express my gratitude to the leaders, coaching staff, and players who have been with the national team. Renaming the training center to ‘Lionel Andres Messi’ sets the foundation for future changes in the national team,” Tapia said during his speech.
M10, as Messi is affectionately known, is experiencing a joyous week upon his return to Argentina for the latest training camp. In the friendly match against Panama on March 24th, Messi scored a goal, reaching the milestone of 800 career goals for both the national team and his club. Following the match, Messi and his teammates celebrated their triumph in the 2022 World Cup with a ceremony at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires, witnessed by over 80,000 enthusiastic fans.
Prior to the match, coach Lionel Scaloni shared his thoughts on Messi’s future with the national team: “I will continue to call up Messi until he expresses his desire to retire from the national team. Currently, he is happy to be part of the training camp and the upcoming friendly matches with the whole team.”
Messi has been an inspiration to the Argentine team on their journey to winning the 2022 World Cup. The PSG forward contributed 7 goals and 3 assists, earning his second World Cup Golden Ball in his career.
Speaking about Messi’s immense popularity among fans, coach Scaloni expressed his perspective: “He deserves the love of the people. Not only Messi but all the players in the team should go out and feel the love from everyone. They haven’t fully enjoyed that because they immediately have to return to their clubs after the World Cup.”
Following the victory against Panama, Scaloni’s team has one more friendly match against Curacao on March 28th.
