East London will stop for a moment on Wednesday night. As Lionel Messi clambers off the Argentina coach on Green Street, hundreds will gather to catch a glimpse. Half of the world’s big two is in town for one week only. It’s not to be missed. Messi has already captured the imagination around West Ham’s Rush Green Academy base – particularly after playing a practice match against the club’s Under 21 side – and is set to dazzle under the East End lights. Lionel Messi practices his shooting as Argentina train at West Ham's Rush Green Stadium The Barcelona superstar listens to Argentina coach Gerardo Martino during the training session
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Argentina warmed up for their international friendly against Croatia with a practice game against West Ham U21s
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Behind closed doors game featured the likes of Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Javier Mascherano and Angel di Maria
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Carlos Tevez is primed for a return to Upton Park - two years after his last game there
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Croatia are likely to rest Luka Modric and Ivan Rakitic but Alen Halilovic will play some part
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The 18-year-old plays for Barcelona B but has a bright future ahead of him
Although West Ham are only hosting a friendly, one which should be relatively one-sided, you only had to be down at @placeholder on Tuesday to fully realise what this means.