Atletico trio to miss Argentina’s friendly with Angola over vaccine issue

Argentina will be without Atletico Madrid trio Julian Alvarez, Nahuel Molina and Giuliano Simeone for Friday’s friendly in Angola after failing to complete yellow fever vaccine procedures, the Argentine FA said on Monday.

Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne viral disease found in some parts of Africa and South America, and travelers to those regions should be vaccinated to prevent infection.

“The players did not complete in time the health procedures related to the yellow fever vaccine required to enter Angola,” the AFA said in a statement.

Thiago Almada and Nicolas Gonzalez are the other Argentine players called up by Atletico.

World champion Argentina, which has already secured its place at next year’s World Cup in the United States, Mexico and Canada, will face Angola in Luanda.

Another friendly match was scheduled to be played in India during this international period, but it was postponed after organizers failed to obtain the required clearance from FIFA in time.

Published on November 11, 2025