Messi-led Argentine National Team in Israel for Friendly

Argentina’s national soccer team is in Israel for a much-hyped “friendly” match against South American rival Uruguay on Monday night. The teams are led by global superstars Lionel Messi – who some consider the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) – and Luis Suarez, who both play for Spanish powerhouse Barcelona FC. Messi was last in Israel in 2013 as part of a two-day “peace tour” with Israeli and Palestinian children. A planned friendly last year in June between Argentina and Israel was canceled due to pressure from Ramallah, which resulted in FIFA, soccer’s governing body, imposing a ban of 12 months on Palestinian Football Association head Jibril Rajoub for “inciting hatred and violence” against Messi. Monday’s feature was almost canceled due to last week’s 48-hour clash between Israel and the Gaza Strip-based Islamic Jihad, during which some 450 rockets were fired at the Jewish state. Argentina on Friday beat Brazil 1-0 in a friendly in Saudi Arabia, with Messi potting the lone goal.