Kolkata awaits on-field Messi magic

The hype surrounding Barca maestro Lionel Messi will reach its climax today when Argentina take on Venezuela in a friendly at the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata. Messi is considered the best football player of his generation and this is what his fans will want to see live in Kolkata tonight.



For many Indian fans it is about seeing Lionel Messi in action, but the match holds major importance for new Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella as it is his first match in charge. Sabella is sending out a team with five changes from the starting line-up in the 2011 Copa America quarterfinals against Uruguay. It is clear that Sabella wants to try out something against Venezuela ahead of the 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifiers which start next month for the Albiceleste (The White and Sky blue).



But Venezuela are no longer the South American push overs. Sure they are the only South American side never to have played in a World Cup, but in the recently held Copa America in Argentina they finished fourth, ahead of their opponents and their best-ever finish in the tournament which highlights their progress.



This is something which coach César Farías is banking on, but their record against Argentina is terrible to say the least. The two sides have met 17 times over the years and all matches have been won by the Argentinians. If this 100% record will be broken tonight will have to be seen.



Kolkata is ready for a magical night of football and though ticket sales have been weak to the run-up of the game, one will hope for a sellout crowd as a fitting stage for Lionel Messi and his men. But it isn't just a game of football as more then simply pride are at stake when two South American sides face each other.





Argentina Starting XI



Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Nicolás Otamendi, Marcos Rojo; Lucho Gonzalez, Javier Mascherano, Ricky Alvarez; Lionel Messi [C], Gonzalo Higuain, Ángel Di Maria