THERE were hundreds of Lionel Messis around the National Stadium in Kallang last week. The real one, however, was conspicuously absent. Scores of football fans streamed in to the stadium last Tuesday donning the blue-and-white striped Argentina jersey with the bold letters "Messi" printed on the back.

The real Messi was thousands of miles away from Singapore, having flown back to Barcelona three days earlier to go on vacation and then prepare for his wedding at the end of this month.

Messi mania, at least in spirit, was evident in the Lions' friendly match against Argentina to celebrate the Football Association of Singapore's 125th anniversary.