Civil society organisations in Angola have appealed to Lionel Messi and the Argentine Football Association to withdraw from a scheduled friendly match in Luanda, citing recent deadly unrest and human rights concerns.
Both football bodies have been discussing staging the game in November as part of Angola’s 50th independence anniversary celebrations. But four groups — comprising Catholic organisations, legal associations, and pro-democracy advocates — have written an open letter to Messi, his foundation, and Argentina’s football federation, condemning what they described as “systematic repression” by Angolan authorities.
They argued that a boycott “would be a noble gesture of international solidarity and respect for human rights.”
The plea follows violent protests in July sparked by steep increases in fuel prices. The demonstrations turned chaotic after looting broke out, prompting security forces to respond with live gunfire. Official figures indicate that at least 30 people lost their lives, over 270 were injured, and around 1,515 were arrested, making it Angola’s most severe unrest in decades.
Despite being a top oil producer, Angola still struggles with poverty — the World Bank estimates that one in three Angolans live below the poverty line. The groups highlighted this disparity in their letter, stating: “While public resources are being channelled to large-scale sporting events, thousands of children and adults face chronic hunger, severe anaemia, and widespread food insecurity.”
They also pointed to a 2025 UN Food and Agriculture Organization report, which noted that 22.5% of Angola’s population is undernourished. According to the activists, economic benefits from major events largely flow to individuals linked to the ruling MPLA, in power since independence from Portugal in 1975.
