BUENOS AIRES – Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates will make a triumphant return in their homeland on Thursday when they play their first match since winning the World Cup in Qatar.

More than 1.5 million fans have applied for 63,000 available tickets for the friendly against Central American minnows Panama at the Monumental stadium in Buenos Aires.

Football-mad Argentinians were out in even larger numbers following the Albiceleste’s dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over France in Qatar in December. An estimated five million people thronged the streets of the capital a few days later for the trophy parade.

Such was the multitude that the parade had to be abandoned long before it reached central Buenos Aires as it was already hours behind schedule.

Messi had been widely expected to retire from international football after the final in Doha, but the Paris Saint-Germain forward said he wanted to carry on a bit longer so he could wear the blue and white Argentina jersey as a world champion.

“He is in good shape, he wants to keep coming. When he tells me that he doesn’t feel good, we’ll see,” coach Lionel Scaloni said on Tuesday. “At the moment, he is happy with the national team.”

The expectation was slightly soured earlier in March when two men fired shots at a closed supermarket in Rosario belonging to the family of Messi’s wife, before leaving a menacing message aimed at the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.

Messi, though, has taken it all in his stride, and for the mayor of Rosario, it was more of a publicity stunt than a genuine threat.

“What story goes more quickly viral in the world than an attack on Messi?” said Pablo Javkin.

Nevertheless, a party atmosphere is expected in Buenos Aires for the team’s competitive homecoming.

With 20,000 places in the 83,000-capacity stadium reserved for invitees, the remaining tickets were snapped up within two hours of going on sale.

The cheapest cost 12,000 pesos (S$78), up to 49,000 pesos, which is more than half the average monthly salary in the South American country.

Argentinian football federation president Claudio Tapia said the body had received more than 130,000 requests for media accreditation, in a stadium that has capacity for just 344 journalists.

“We would love to be able to accommodate everyone, but we would need two... stadiums, just for journalists. The madness for Argentina is total,” he said.

Those not lucky enough to get inside the stadium will at least be able to watch the match for free on television after the government decided to broadcast it freely.

Scaloni promised that the team would not rest on their laurels, regardless of the occasion or opponents. “The aim is to keep playing at the same level,” he said.

“We are world champions, but that doesn’t mean we have the right for more. Just because we win we can’t do whatever we want, that’s what they (the players) have to understand, we have to keep working.

“Now, it will be harder than ever because everyone will want to beat us.”

Following the match, Argentina will play Curacao next Tuesday. AFP, REUTERS