Argentina’s national football team will be without three Atlético Madrid players — Julián Álvarez, Nahuel Molina, and Giuliano Simeone — for their upcoming international friendly against Angola on Friday after failing to complete vaccination procedures required for travel, the Argentine Football Association (AFA) confirmed on Monday.
In an official statement, the AFA explained that the trio had not finalized medical documentation related to the yellow fever vaccine, a mandatory requirement for travelers entering Angola and several other African countries where the disease remains endemic.
“The players did not complete in time the health procedures related to the yellow fever vaccine, which is required to enter Angola,” the AFA said.
Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral illness found in parts of Africa and South America, and international health regulations require proof of vaccination to reduce the risk of transmission. Failure to present valid vaccination certificates can result in travel restrictions or denial of entry.
Argentina, the reigning FIFA World Cup champions, are currently on a mini-tour of Africa as part of their preparation for the 2026 World Cup, set to be hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada. The team will face Angola in Luanda before returning to South America for additional fixtures.
While the absence of the three Atlético players is a setback, Argentina’s squad remains strong, featuring captain Lionel Messi, along with established stars such as Rodrigo De Paul, Lautaro Martínez, and Enzo Fernández.
Sports analysts say the vaccine issue highlights the importance of compliance with international travel health regulations, especially for teams traveling to countries with infectious disease risks. National teams are typically required to coordinate closely with health authorities and sports federations to ensure all medical documentation is completed before departure.
The Angola friendly will be one of several international warm-up games for Argentina as coach Lionel Scaloni continues to rotate his squad and test younger players ahead of the World Cup qualifiers next year.
Officials from both the AFA and Atlético Madrid have not commented further on whether the three players might rejoin the national squad later in the tour.
Source:Africa Publicity
