The World Cup winner will work on the Argentina–Benin broadcast from the Middle East. He will not be in Buenos Aires, though reports differ on why he is absent.
Former Argentina midfielder Alejandro “Papu” Gómez will comment on the team’s friendly against Benin for Kuwait-based streaming platform Shasha Sports. The match, staged as Lionel Messi’s farewell, is set to take place at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires.
Earlier this week, Gómez posted an Instagram story from Abu Dhabi airport with the caption “Kuwait, here we go,” then revealed that he would join the broadcast. Presenter Khaled K. Aljasem also announced his participation, and Gómez shared the announcement on his account.
La Nación reported that Gómez is living in Abu Dhabi with his wife, Linda Raff, and their children after ending his contract with Italy’s Calcio Padova. He now plays for Forte Virtus, a club in the UAE’s second division, and at 38 is trying sports commentary.
Gómez will not be at the stadium for Messi’s farewell. La Nación said he was not called up for the match, while Los Andes reported that he had received a formal invitation from the Argentine Football Association but could not travel because of logistical issues. The reports therefore give different explanations for his absence.
La Nación also named Paulo Dybala and Nahuel Molina among those who will miss the Buenos Aires event: their club, Roma, did not authorize the trip, citing the long intercontinental journey and the proximity of upcoming official matches. Franco Armani is due to play for Atlético Nacional on October 8, while Juan Foyth was dropped from the squad because of an injury.