Messi and Argentina set to copy Super Eagles despite FIFA ban

Argentina are reportedly planning to play a high-profile friendly in Moscow against Russia, despite the FIFA-imposed ban that’s kept the Russian national team out of official competitions since 2022.

If confirmed, the World Champions would be following Nigeria’s Super Eagles’ controversial lead by agreeing to face Russia at the iconic Luzhniki Stadium.

Even though Russia remains frozen out of FIFA and UEFA-sanctioned competitions, that hasn’t stopped them from playing friendly games.

Since their competitive exile began in early 2022, they have stayed busy, lining up friendlies with nations across Asia and Africa,teams like Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Iraq, and now Nigeria.

The most high-profile of these matchups is set for June 6, 2025, as the Super Eagles square off with Russia at the same Luzhniki Stadium that hosted the 2018 World Cup final.

Despite missing stars like Victor Osimhen and Ademola Lookman, Nigeria will bring momentum into the match after recent wins over Ghana and Jamaica.

Russia, too, is in red-hot form after thumping Zambia and Grenada 5-0 in back-to-back friendlies, with Anton Miranchuk and Tamerlan Musaev pulling the strings.

With this friendly blueprint in place, Argentina now seems ready to test those same icy waters in November 2025.

But while Argentina might agree to the friendly in principle, it remains unlikely that Lionel Messi will grace the Moscow turf.

According to reports, major Western sponsors are uncomfortable with high-profile stars appearing in Russia, which makes Messi’s involvement highly unlikely.

The clash, tentatively scheduled between November 10 and 18 at the 81,000-seater Luzhniki Stadium, could mark a turning point in post-ban football diplomacy, or spark further controversy.

Either way, just like Nigeria, Argentina appears ready to walk the tightrope between footballing engagement and political optics.