Low turnout expected for Ecuador vs Argentina friendly in Elche

Argentina are set to play another friendly in Spain, this time in the city of Elche against Latin American rivals Ecuador, an occasion that has somewhat slipped under the radar of most football fans in the area.

According to staff at the Estadio Martinez Valero, where the match will take place, so far only 9,000 tickets have been sold, which accounts for less than one third of the ground's 34,000 capacity.

Despite the large Argentine and Ecuadorian expat presence in the region, the absence of star players from both sides has seemingly put off potential attendees.

None more so than that of Lionel Messi, who is suspended due to a controversial sending off during July's Copa America third place playoff.

The likes of Paris Saint-Germain duo Angel Di Maria and Mauro Icardi, as well as Manchester City's all-time top scorer Sergio Aguero, will also not be taking to the pitch.

That being said, many interesting characters will be in attendance, among them Carlos Quieroz, the head coach of Colombia, who will be scoping out the opposition ahead of the 2022 World Cup qualifiers, and Barcelona's deputy technical secretary, Ramon Planes, who returns to his old stomping ground, having been Elche's director of sport during the 2015/16 season.