What is it with Messi, Egypt and the number 7

The number “7” has coincidentally shaped the story of Lionel Messi’s connection with Egypt, reaching a symbolic peak at the 2026 World Cup.
In a historic Round of 16 encounter, Egypt will face Argentina at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in a match surrounded by a striking twist of fate. The game is scheduled for July 7 (the seventh month) at 7:00 PM Egypt time, creating a “triple seven” moment before the first whistle.
But this is not the first time the number has linked Messi with the Land of the Pharaohs. The Argentine star has visited Cairo twice for promotional and tourism-related events, with the years adding another layer to this numerical mystery:
First visit (April 2007)
Messi arrived in Egypt for the first time with FC Barcelona, taking part in a commemorative friendly against Egyptian club Al Ahly as part of their centenary celebrations. Barcelona won 4-0. Messi also used the opportunity to visit the Giza Pyramids for the first time.
Second visit (February 2017)
Ten years later, Messi returned to Cairo in a brief but globally covered visit as an ambassador for Egypt’s “Tour n’ Cure” campaign, which promoted medical tourism and hepatitis C treatment. The trip included iconic images of the Argentine star inside the Great Pyramid.