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.

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,” .