By: Sandipan Ghosh Image credit: X
On Friday (October 13), Argentina claimed a crucial 1-0 home win against Paraguay in the World Cup Qualifier, thanks to an early goal by Nicolás Otamendi (3') with a great volley following a corner.
Although the 36-year-old World Cup-winning legend Lionel Messi wasn't in the starting XI, he came on the field as a substitute for Julian Alvarez in the 53rd minute.
In the late moments of the match, Messi had a spat with the 27-year-old Paraguayan forward Antonio Sanabria. Sanabria was even seen to spit in the direction of Messi.
Messi was unaware of the spitting incident as his teammates told him later. He told TyC Sports, “My team-mates told me about it in the locker room. It is better to leave the issue alone.”
Messi doesn't even want to talk about the incident, as it can make Sanabria a popular and important person. The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner doesn't know the player.
Messi added, “I don't know who this guy is and I don't want to give him importance either, because if he gets that he's going to go out and talk everywhere and he becomes known.”
Torino forward Antonio Sanabria graduated from the Barcelona youth academy. While he trained with the first team in 2012, he played for the B side for half a season before his move to Sassuolo.
Although the former Barcelona legend Messi couldn't score a goal against Paraguay, he had a great time on the field. He almost scored a direct goal from a corner kick that hit the post.
Despite Winning the 2022 World Cup, Lionel Messi Kicked Out From Ballon d’Or Race by Adrien Rabiot