Almost came face to face with Messi: Arthur's dream
According to Us.
Context
FC Utrecht full-back Arthur Zagré had the opportunity to represent Burkina Faso in important games, but his aspiration to face Messi was frustrated. His recent national team experience could influence his performance in the Eredivisie, where FC Utrecht are looking to improve their performance this season.
Why this matters
Arthur Zagré's frustration at not being able to play against Lionel Messi highlights the unpredictability of football and the logistical challenges that can affect even national teams. This incident not only impacts the career of Zagré, a FC Utrecht player, but also reflects on the importance of being prepared for unforeseen events, especially in competitions such as the CAN 2027 Qualification.
Main conclusions
- Almost came face to face with Messi: Arthur's dream.
- Arthur Zagré, FC Utrecht full-back, almost fulfilled his dream of playing against Lionel Messi in a friendly match in Buenos Aires.
- Bijna stond Utrecht-speler Zagré tegenover Messi, maar zijn droom spatte uiteen.
Since he was a kid, Arthur Zagré dreamed of this moment: walking onto the field and looking Lionel Messi eye to eye. The FC Utrecht left-back, international for Burkina Faso, recently saw this possibility take shape when he was called up by coach Amir Abdou for two CAN 2027 qualifying games — against Benin and the Central African Republic — followed by a luxurious friendly against Argentina, in Buenos Aires.
The selection call filled Zagré with enthusiasm. First, the 25-year-old defender was on the bench in the draw against Benin. Then, in Casablanca, he was adapted as a winger and helped the “Garanhões” beat the Central African Republic 1-0. The trip to the Argentine capital would follow and a duel that, for him, would have a special flavor. “I spent hours watching Messi on YouTube”, he recalls, now with a mature smile of someone who almost touched his dream.
But the plan fell apart at the last minute. Minutes before take-off towards Buenos Aires, the pilot of the charter flight reported technical problems and the aircraft ended up on the ground. Without a plan B or C, the Burkinabé delegation waited for hours that turned into days. It was only early on Friday evening that a replacement plane appeared — scheduled to depart exactly at midnight and arrive in Buenos Aires just over five hours before kick-off. An impractical schedule, with a high risk of injuries.
Given this scenario, a significant part of the internationals — including Zagré — decided to interrupt the trip. "It was a difficult decision; who doesn't want to play against Argentina?", admitted the defender, who guaranteed that the charm of the game remained even after knowing that Messi would not be used. Even so, the personal dream of at least sharing the pitch with the Argentine was postponed.
Without the main team, Burkina Faso sent a very young team to Monumental, with an average age of 20.1 years, who ended up being beaten 7-0 in front of 85 thousand fans. The outcome generated turbulence in Ouagadougou: the country's leader, Ibrahim Traoré, publicly announced that he will take over the federation, criticizing its leadership — a position that, if materialized, could result in severe sanctions from FIFA for political interference, including a heavy fine and the risk of competitive suspension.
Back in Utrecht, Zagré tries to put his frustration into perspective. After a difficult history of injuries, the Burkinabé prefers to look at the episode lightly and learn lessons from the experience, even without having set foot on the Monumental pitch. “There are things we want so much that they end up slipping away”, he confesses, without losing his good mood.
With the selection chapter closed this window, the focus now turns to the club. FC Utrecht takes the field against Willem II, in an Eredivisie duel that gains additional importance for the team to consolidate its position. For Zagré, it is certain that the door to his dream has not closed: the opportunity to face Messi may have escaped him by a whisker this time, but football, so often unpredictable, always holds new encounters with destiny.
What happens next
After the trip was interrupted, Zagré and other players from the Burkina Faso national team will have to focus on the next challenges, including the qualifying games against Benin and the Central African Republic. The left-back's performance at FC Utrecht in the Eredivisie will also be crucial to maintaining his form and visibility as he prepares for future international opportunities.
Frequently asked questions
What was the result of the game between Burkina Faso and the Central African Republic?
Burkina Faso beat the Central African Republic 1-0.
How did the selection call impact Arthur Zagré?
The call up to the national team left Arthur Zagré excited, as he dreamed of playing against Lionel Messi.
What is Burkina Faso's next match in CAN 2027 qualifying?
Burkina Faso's next match in CAN 2027 qualification was not mentioned in the article.
What happened to Burkina Faso's trip to the game against Argentina?
The trip was delayed due to technical problems with the chartered flight, leading a significant number of international travelers, including Zagré, to decide to interrupt the trip.
Arthur Zagré played against Argentina?
No, Arthur Zagré did not play against Argentina due to travel delays.