Kolkata: Superstar footballer Lionel Messi is set to keep his date with India and unfold his magic when he leads Argentina in a FIFA international friendly against Venezuela here on Friday when the euphoria of one of the most high-profile matches in the country reaches the crescendo.
History will be scripted at the 120,000-capacity Yuba Bharati Krirangan at Salt Lake here when the two time world champions with the world's best footballer in their ranks take on their South American rivals.
24-year-old Messi, the twice World Footballer of the Year and nicknamed 'The Flea', will be cynosure of all eyes for the football-crazy city that had in the past hosted the likes of Pele, Oliver Kahn, Diego Maradona, Gerd Muller and Diego Forlan.
The response of the football fans has not been as overwhelming as compared to Pele's visit with Cosmos for an exhibition fixture against Mohun Bagan in 1977 or more recently the euphoria generated by Maradona.
But it will hardly matter to coach Alejandro Sabella who will debut as Argentina coach.
After their debacle in Copa America where they are champions 14 times but failed to get past quarterfinals this time in July, Argentina are in process of rebuilding their side under Sabella with an eye on 2014 World Cup.
From here the Argentines travel to Dhaka for a second friendly against Nigeria on September 6.
The former Estudiantes coach, who takes over the reigns of the national team after the dismissal of Sergio Batista, who was fired after their quarterfinal exit in Copa America in July, has already shown his eagerness to begin on a winning note.
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