Europe 1 with AFP 20:27 p.m., March 20, 2023

Lionel Messi flew to Argentina for the international break. A break with the Argentine selection during which he must play a match against Panama, Thursday. On this occasion, the Argentines will be celebrated as heroes three months after their world title in Qatar against the Blues.

Lionel Messi has left his PSG teammates, the time of the international break, to join the Argentine selection in Buenos Aires, world champions, who are preparing to play their first home match since their coronation in Qatar. The 63,000 tickets for this friendly match, scheduled against Panama on Thursday at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires, were snapped up in two hours.

Various festivities, to celebrate the world title of the Albiceleste against France, are planned during the match. The Argentine Federation said it had received more than 130,000 requests for media accreditation, while the press gallery can only accommodate 344 journalists.

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Back "champion"

Messi's arrival on Argentine soil was welcomed on Twitter by AFA president Claudio 'Chiqui' Tapia. "You never gave up. And today, you are back in your country as world champion. Welcome, Leo," he wrote to the 35-year-old Paris Saint-Germain star striker, who waited until his fifth World Cup to win the star.

Jamás makes you surrender. Y hoy volviste a tu país como campeón del mundo Bienvenido

, Leo ⭐️⭐️⭐️ pic.twitter.com/jeAu65JDD7

— Chiqui Tapia (@tapiachiqui) March 20, 2023

Messi, who played Sunday in Ligue 1 (2-0 defeat against Rennes at the Parc des Princes), traveled with his wife and three children. He joined the Albiceleste training camp in Ezeiza, on the outskirts of Buenos Aires.