Lionel Messi walked off the pitch under sensational circumstances at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro before a World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil. The match got delayed by 30 minutes after rival fans clashed soon after the two teams had lined up for their national anthems.
Video footage, now viral on social media, showed a section of Argentinian and Brazilan fans hit each other in a free-for-all. Eventually Brazilian police moved in and used the baton on Argentine fans. Miffed with his, Messi decided to walk off the pitch with the rest of his teammates.
Lionel Messi appeared to say “We are not playing, we are leaving.”
The match did resume shortly after but the violence and the scuffle left a bad taste in the mouth for many, who were really looking at a mouth-watering contest between two of the greatest football nations on the planet.
Messi and Argentina’s World Cup campaign since 2022
‘My message to the supporters is to have faith…. We won’t leave them stranded’. This is what Lionel Messi said when Argentina lose their opening match vs Saudi Arabia in the World Cup. Since that statement, Leo’s team turned into a beast in the tournament. They went on to beat Poland and Mexico in the group stage. Then, also pushed aside Australia in the Round of 16.
In the quarter-final, a tense game against Netherlands went into penalties and the Albiceleste came out winners. Messi’s magic was on full flow as they brushed aside Croatia 3-0 in the semis too. Then, it was time for the last dance. In what was called as one of the best football matches ever, Argentina overcame France 4-2 on penalties and won the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Messi had conquered his final peak.
Even after their triumph in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Argentina have continued to dominate. They have won most of the games that they have played since the Final. Also, they have been on fire in the World Cup Qualifiers for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Currently, they sit atop the table with 5 wins from their 6 games. Their only loss has come against Uruguay recently.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami
After the 2022/23 season ended, there was just one question on everyone’s mind. Where will Lionel Messi go? It was evident that he wasn’t interested in continuing at PSG. A return to FC Barcelona? Maybe Saudi Arabia? In the end, in a surprise move, Messi decided to move to the MLS and join David Beckham’s Inter Miami. Since that move, he has helped the club win their very first title. Messi has also been joined by Busquets and Alba as well. He has settled in very nicely at the club and will be hoping to bag some more titles in the future.
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