PREVIEW: Friendlies - Saudi Arabia v Argentina

FOOTBALL - The following are several key facts and figures on the friendly between Saudi Arabia and Argentina, which will be played on Wednesday, 14 November, at Riyadh’s King Fahd International Stadium.

> Argentina return to Saudi Arabia for the first time since 1995, when they finished runners-up in the King Fahd Cup, the predecessor to the Confederations Cup. Argentina had won the inaugural edition in 1992, by beating Saudi Arabia 3-1 in the final.

> This was also the most recent of three meetings between these countries. Argentina’s goals in that match were scored by Leonardo Rodríguez, Claudio Caniggia and Diego Simeone.

> Lionel Messi is reunited with Frank Rijkaard, the coach who granted him his FC Barcelona debut on 16 October 2004. Rijkaard is currently Saudi Arabia’s team boss.

> Lionel Messi has scored in eight of his last nine international matches for Argentina, for a total of 13 goals.

> Messi has scored 31 international goals for Argentina and needs three more to equal Diego Maradona in third place among Argentina’s all-time leading marksmen. Only Gabriel Batistuta (56) and Hernán Crespo (35) have netted more often for the ‘Albiceleste’.