HENRY to face his friend MESSI next week

Just a couple of days after Thierry HENRY compared Lionel MESSI with Diego MARADONA by saying: "MESSI does things with the ball I only saw MARADONA being capable of doing".

Ever since his arrival at FC Barcelona, the former Arsenal striker has expressed his awe towards MESSI. Next Tuesday, though, both players will face each other as they represent their respective countries in what looks to be a very attractive friendly match.

As expected, Raymond DOMENECH has revealed his 21-men squad for the upcoming friendly against Argentina (11 February in Marseille) and apart from HENRY, he has named veteran William GALLAS (one of 4 Arsenal players on the list), outstanding players such as Frank RIBERY and Nicolas ANELKA, together with members of the so-called "Generation of 87": Karim BENZEMA and local Marseille's hero, now at Arsenal, Samir NASRI.

Here's the full French squad that will look to cause Diego MARADONA's his first international defeat.

Goalkeepers:

Steve MANDANDA (Olympique Marseille), Hugo LLORIS (Olympique Lyon), Cedric CARRASSO (Toulouse).

Defenders:

Eric ABIDAL (Barcelona), William GALLAS (Arsenal), Philippe MEXES (AS Roma), Bacary SAGNA (Arsenal), Gael CLICHY (Arsenal), Julien ESCUDE (Sevilla), Rod FANNI (Stade Rennes), Sebastien SQUILLACI (Sevilla).

Midfielders:

Jeremy TOULALAN (Olympique Lyon), Alou DIARRA (Girondins Bordeaux), Lassana DIARRA (Real Madrid), Samir NASRI (Arsenal), Yoann GOURCUFF (Girondins Bordeaux)

Forwards:

Thierry HENRY (Barcelona), Karim BENZEMA (Olympique Lyon), Franck RIBERY (Bayern Munich), Nicolas ANELKA (Chelsea), Jimmy BRIAND (Stade Rennes).

Last time Argentina and France met, Javier SAVIOLA with a lovely back-heel touch, gave the Albicelestes a 1-0 win at the Stade Francais in Saint-Denis in February 2007.

See the reactions of that match at Mundo Albiceste:

http://mundoalbiceleste.blogspot.com/2007/02/allez-argentina.html

Feeling that lovely déjà vu?