Excitement is building across downtown Dallas as Lionel Messi and Argentina prepare to play Austria on Monday in a group-stage match at Dallas Stadium. The defending World Cup champions are expected to draw massive crowds to North Texas, with an estimated 100,000 Argentina fans expected to visit the area for the match. It will be the first of two group-stage games Argentina will play at Dallas Stadium. “Oh – unbelievable – I think it speaks for itself every time he’s on the pitch,” Argentina fan Javier Godoy said. The influx of fans is creating opportunities for local businesses, including young entrepreneur Fatima Aoun, who is selling custom necklaces. “Well, my mom said I can’t be bored this summer so we just decided, let’s just think of a business,” Aoun said. “A lot of people are like – who’s the goat? Messi or Ronaldo – so I feel like we wanted to make that.” Fans from around the world are already arriving. One family visiting from Buenos Aires said they are still hoping to find tickets to the match but plan to enjoy the festivities regardless. Before Monday’s game, Argentina supporters are expected to gather on Sunday at Klyde Warren Park for a large fan celebration. With thousands of fans expected to wear Argentina’s blue and white colors, DFW is preparing for another major World Cup gathering as Messi mania arrives in North Texas This story was originally reported for broadcast by NBC DFW. AI tools helped convert the story into a digital article, and an NBC DFW journalist edited it again before publication. ...read more read less