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Lionel Messi missed the 4-2 win in a friendly against Germany three weeks ago. Photo: AFP

Lionel Messi back in business and bound for Hong Kong

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been called up by new coach Gerardo Martino for a friendly against Hong Kong on October 14, but Juventus striker Carlos Tevez was snubbed again.

Lionel Messi

Argentina captain Lionel Messi has been called up by new coach Gerardo Martino for a friendly against Hong Kong on October 14, but Juventus striker Carlos Tevez was snubbed again.

Messi, 27, returns for the Albiceleste after a groin injury saw him miss out on his former Barcelona coach Martino’s debut in a 4-2 friendly win against world champions Germany.

The match at Hong Kong Stadium is part of celebrations for the HKFA’s 100th anniversary and officials are hopeful of a full house of 40,000, despite tickets being the highest-ever priced (HK$490-HK$1,800) for a soccer match in Hong Kong. The cost of staging the match is a whopping HK$30 million.

To guarantee the stars appear, a clause was written into the deal saying at least 15 players from their World Cup squad must attend, with stiff penalties if that requirement is not met.

Messi shrugged off a missed penalty by scoring one goal and setting up two more to lead Barcelona to a 5-0 rout at 10-man Levante on Sunday as the Catalans maintained their 100 per cent start to the La Liga.

Barcelona boss Luis Enrique lauded Messi saying: “With Leo Messi we are talking about a unique, special player. His teammates know well that when he has the ball, he can not only beat players but assist them magnificently,” .

Tevez, 30, was absent from the 19-man squad named on Monday despite earlier reports he was set to return after three years in the international wilderness.

Martino took over from Sabella who stepped down after leading the two-time global champions to the 2014 World Cup final where they were beaten 1-0 by Germany after extra time.

Argentina play Brazil in Beijing on October 11 before coming to Hong Kong.

Argentina squad

Goalkeepers: Sergio Romero, Nahuel Guzman.
Defenders: Mateo Musacchio, Pablo Zabaleta, Martin Demichelis, Marcos Rojo, Santiago Vergini, Federico Fernandez.
Midfielders: Javier Mascherano, Lucas Biglia, Javier Pastore, Roberto Pereyra, Angel Di Maria, Erik Lamela, Enzo Perez, Nicolas Gaitan.
Strikers: Lionel Messi, Sergio Agero, Gonzalo Higuain.

Additional reporting Agence France-Presse

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