Lionel Messi holidaying in Ibiza after pulling out of Singapore-Argentina match

SINGAPORE — Hours after touching down in Singapore last Saturday (June 10), world football star and Argentina captain Lionel Messi was back on a plane to Spain.

While the rest of his teammates are in town to play at the much anticipated Singapore vs Argentina on Tuesday night, Messi is holidaying at the Spanish island of Ibiza. He did make a quick stop at Fullerton Hotel with the team before heading off though.

On Monday, June 12, Messi posted a photo of himself and fiancée Antonella Roccuzzo on holiday in Ibiza. 


The photo was uploaded on his Instagram account with a caption that read “vacation!” in Spanish.


Several European media outlets have also captured pictures of Messi enjoying his time out at sea with his sons, Thiago and Mateo. 
According to media reports, Messi was joined by club-mate Luis Suarez, Chelsea FC star Cesc Fabregas, and their families on the Spanish island. 


Although match organisers UNICESS only confirmed last Saturday that football star Lionel Messi, along with two other players, striker Gonzalo Higuain and defender Nicolas Otamendi, would not be playing in Tuesday’s Singapore vs Argentina match, Argentinian newspaper Clarin had earlier reported last Thursday (June 8 ) that Messi would be missing the fixture to prepare for his wedding to Roccuzzo on June 30.


With the absence of star players from the Argentinian side, local football fans were further riled when UNICESS said that no refunds would be given to those who had bought tickets to the highly-anticipated match when it was first announced in April. 


Even up to last Friday, UNICESS and the FAS had stated in a media release that a “full-strength Argentinian squad, including Lionel Messi, Angel Di Maria and Gonzalo Higuain” had been selected to take part in the fixture.


The match at the National Stadium is part of the Football Association of Singapore’s (FAS) 125th anniversary celebrations.