Burkina Faso's senior squad refuses to fly to Buenos Aires; U23 team to face Argentina instead
A day before the friendly with Argentina, Burkina Faso's senior national team refused to board their flight in protest over the match's organization, forcing the federation to send its U23 squad to Buenos Aires instead. The October 3 match at Estadio Monumental is Argentina's last fixture before Lionel Messi's farewell game against Benin.
An unexpected turn on travel day
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Burkina Faso's senior team, nicknamed the "Stallions," was due to fly to Buenos Aires, but only one player stepped onto the boarding gangway. The country's football federation scrambled to persuade its U23 squad to make the trip instead, also cancelling a friendly against Mali that had been scheduled for hours later. The youth team's delayed flight departed from Casablanca, Morocco, with arrival in Buenos Aires expected around 3:30 p.m. local time, ahead of a 7 p.m. local kickoff at Estadio Monumental. Mashable, meanwhile, lists the kickoff as 8 p.m. ET on October 3.
As Gazzetta explains, the protest stems from the fact that the Argentine Football Association (AFA) pays no appearance fee for friendlies against smaller African nations — this year also including Benin, Mauritania and Zambia. All revenue goes to the hosting federation and the Colombian agency organizing the matches, while the visiting teams face 12–13-hour flights on low-cost carriers and just one night in a hotel.
Argentina rolling confidently after Messi's exit
Per Sports Illustrated, Argentina opened its post-Messi era with a 4–0 win over Bolivia, with goals from Lautaro Martínez, Nico Paz, Cristian Romero and José López. Coach Lionel Scaloni is expected to rotate his squad for this match, potentially handing debuts to several players.
Recent form
According to figures compiled by the BBC, Burkina Faso's recent results include a 1–1 draw with Benin and a win over the Central African Republic in Africa Cup of Nations qualifying.
Preview predictions now outdated
Before news of the walkout emerged, Sports Illustrated had predicted a 3–1 Argentina win and outlined likely lineups, including Burkina Faso's attacking leader Lassina Traoré and a possible absence for winger Dango Ouattara due to illness. With a U23 squad now set to take the field, that lineup information no longer applies. It also remains unclear how the episode will affect next week's planned Messi farewell match against Benin, Gazzetta notes.
