Dhaka, May 1 (IANS) With Barcelona’s Lionel Messi as its star player, Bangladesh has signed for friendly football matches with teams from Argentina and Nigeria this September.

Argentina’s national football team, including Barcelona star Lionel Messi, will be in Bangladesh to play a FIFA International Friendly match against the Nigeria national side Sept. 6 this year, confirmed Bangladesh Football Federation (BFF) president Kazi Salahuddin while announcing it here Saturday.

‘The contract is a binding one which will ensure Messi comes,’ said BFF chief adding that the presence of two of the world’s footballing powers will create ‘a tremendous resurgence of football among the young generation.’

It will also showcase to the world that Bangladesh have the logistics and infrastructure to organise such a big international football match.

He also announced a nationwide Under-18 Championship that is scheduled to begin from next month.

Major trade corporation Beximco Group will be the sponsors for the Under-18 tournament, in addition to being sponsors of the Argentina-Nigeria friendly matches, The Daily Star said.