Fresh off their 2022 World Cup victory in Qatar, Argentina’s national football team, spearheaded by football maestro Lionel Messi, has emerged as the world’s most sought-after national team.
The Argentine Football Association (AFA) is slated to earn approximately US$6.5 million from two matches in Beijing and Jakarta.
The momentous victory at the World Cup – Argentina’s third – significantly bolstered the team’s appeal for friendly matches.
Presently, the Argentine team is touring Asia. They secured a 2-0 win against Australia in Beijing on June 15 and are scheduled to square off against Indonesia in Jakarta on June 19.
Asian football federations have displayed considerable interest in hosting the Argentine squad.
This was evident from the steep prices for Argentina vs. Australia match tickets in Beijing, peaking at 4,800 yuan (US$680).
The AFA had set an initial asking price of five million dollars for the tour. Apart from the hefty appearance fees, the AFA stands to earn from broadcasting rights, ticket sales percentage, merchandising, and other sources.
The tour also serves to fortify the commercial relationships between the AFA and its Asian partners, as per Argentine media.
The Argentine team counts seven Chinese sponsors, including Wanda Sports, Yili, Gac Mitsubishi, Pan Pan Food, Lingxi Games Inc., Macro, and Netease. Messi’s global popularity invariably features in each negotiation.
The AFA is a leading player in China’s sports market, enjoying a significant lead over other sports properties, as stated by the Argentine football entity to El Cronista.
The Argentine federation attributes its success to proactive brand marketing, targeted social media strategies, and exclusive offerings encouraging interaction between users and Chinese brand consumers.