JAKARTA - The Argentine national team is scheduled to meet Indonesia on FIFA Matchday, 19 June. This friendly match will be held at the Gelora Bung Karno Main Stadium, Senayan, Jakarta.
In this match, Argentina brought its best squad, including superstar Lionel Messi. His name has been listed on the list of players brought to Indonesia.
However, recently rumors emerged that Messi would not join the Argentine national team to visit Indonesia. Vermouth Deportivo news page reported this.
The tweet from Argentine journalist Leo Paradizo also broke the same news.
The reason is, Messi needs a long holiday before joining his new club in the United States, Inter Miami. A plausible reason, although Inter Miami will only play again on July 2, against Austin FC.
The time range between June 19 and July 2, was actually quite long, setting aside two more days of goods, apparently not going to take Messi's vacation time.
"No one can confirm whether this news is true or not, including the Argentine Football Federation (AFA) which has yet to say anything about Messi to the Indonesian Football Federation (PSSI)," as reported by Antara.
But what is certain is that by coming to Indonesia, Messi will benefit more, rather than failing to come to Indonesia. This benefit is certainly not a matter of money and popularity, which may no longer be needed by Messi.
Even though in the past only a deep-pocketed football entity could melt Messi's heart, one of the best footballers of all time was not someone who considered money and popularity above all else.
The proof is that he rejected the proposal of Al Hilal clubs from the Saudi Arabian League and Barcelona from the Spanish League. Even though the amount of money Al Hilal offers is fantastic that can make Messi the most expensive footballer not only at this time, but also probably all time.
He also rejected Barcelona's offer, even though this club has always been the dream of top footballers in the world, in addition to being a guarantee for glory and popularity.
In fact, Messi chose a league that had been the choice of another football legend, Pele. The two world football legends both chose the United States, because of their love and dedication to football.
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The United States is a big country, but not a football country. However, for people like Pele and Messi, changing the environment that doesn't love football, to love football more, is clearly more challenging and more exciting, as quoted by Antara.
It is also related to the great dedication to football, that this sport must be as busy as any part of the world, because of its more than just sports and football.
On the other hand, for the United States and Major League Soccer (MLS), Messi is a gift.
He will be a magnet and inspiration that makes more and more children of the nation in Uncle Sam's country fall in love to then love and play football.
"I'm sure Leo will change the league in the United States. I'm sure the league will be even more popular," said Neymar, Leo Messi's friend and colleague in the club at Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain.
Pele has done that kind of thing in the past.
Pele has given another brighter and more positive color to United States football, which is the foundation for the country's more popular football face today.
For reasons outside of money and glory, Messi will also be much better off participating with Albiceleste to try out Indonesia in the friendly match on June 19.
Going to Indonesia is also about something that exceeds money and popularity.
Going to Indonesia is about football, about how football is getting bigger and more widely enjoyed, which of course is also Messi's concern.
More importantly is this about the inspiration of a superstar for the part of the world who is so in love with football and wants a better and better football ecosystem.
It is impossible for a superstar like Messi to ignore his deepest aspirations.
On the other hand, Messi certainly cares about the role that makes him an inspiration for millions of Indonesians who are competing for better football.
By coming to Indonesia, he will not only be an inspiration for Indonesian football players, but also children, young people and football fans, the number of which is tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions more.
Leo Messi's own life is related to inspiration, about struggling, being optimistic, not broken, and total commitment to football.
Such positive energy also made him finally lift the World Cup trophy and Copa America at a young age for a footballer.
In the end he may no longer want the greatest trophy or title. He once said, "I care more about being a good person than being the best footballer in the world. Whenever I have to retire, I want to be remembered as a good person".
Indonesia is one of a million places that can make Messi remembered as a good person, which is a person who inspires others to be better.
The English, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and French versions are automatically generated by the AI. So there may still be inaccuracies in translating, please always see Indonesian as our main language. (system supported by DigitalSiber.id)
