Argentinian soccer legend Lionel Messi has been in the midst of the motion since he burst onto the worldwide soccer stage and has maintained his picture as one of many good guys of the sporting world.
A favorite of soccer followers around the globe, the 68,000 followers who turned as much as The Workers’ Stadium in Beijing for Argentina’s 2-0 pleasant win over Australia most likely would have turned up if nobody else was on the sphere with Messi.
It’s protected to say he is aware of what it’s prefer to be the centre of consideration.
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So when he leaves you hanging out to dry like he did with 20-year-old Socceroo Alexander Robertson, it’s most likely laborious to not take it personally.
Vision emerged from the Paramount+ protection of the sport with Robertson attempting to get Messi’s consideration by grabbing the again of his jersey, however the 35-year-old merely refused to show round.
It was assumed that he was attempting to swap jerseys with Messi, whereas others speculated he was merely on the lookout for a handshake.
“Tonight is all about Leo Messi – and now the fight is on for his shirt!” commentator Simon Hill mentioned.
“Alexander Robertson having a go, and I’m sure there’ll be a few contenders for it!”
Regardless of what he was on the lookout for, he received subsequent to nothing from Messi because the celebrity continued congratulating his teammates till the Aussie walked away.
Messi did seem to have a look at him at one level but it surely didn’t assist Robertson’s probabilities in any respect as he lastly accepted the chilly shoulder.
Fans mentioned that Messi will need to have thought it was one among his teammates, whereas one other mentioned the celebrity appeared to have promised it to a different Socceroo and instructed Robertson as a lot.
It comes after final years’ World Cup the place Messi swapped jerseys with gamers all through the event.
When Argentina knocked Australia out 2-1 within the spherical of 16, it was unused defensive midfielder Cam Devlin who took dwelling the prize.
Socceroos striker Mitch Duke additionally acquired a jersey after the Socceroos’ loss in Qatar.
After consuming seven bottles of water with a purpose to present a urine pattern after the match, Duke walked again into the dressing room to discover a Messi jersey on his bag.
Robertson, the Manchester City-signed prodigy, who was born in Scotland and eligible to play for his delivery nation, England, Peru or Australia, did get on the sphere within the pleasant in Beijing, being subbed on within the 73rd minute for Mathew Leckie.
Rubbing salt within the wound over the jersey/handshake snub, it got here after a 15-year-old Chinese fan sporting a Messi jersey ran onto the sphere late within the recreation and straight right into a hug together with his hero.
He then did a lap across the discipline earlier than giving up the chase with safety.
Bizarrely, he was then despatched again to his seat by safety as a result of he was under-18 and was swamped by followers within the stands.
Messi placed on a present for the jam packed stands as he set two marks within the 2-0 win towards Australia on Thursday night time.
The Argentine star scored the quickest purpose of his historic profession, discovering the again of the online after solely 81 seconds.
It turned his seventh straight scoring recreation for his nation, additionally setting a brand new private report.
Messi has now scored in each minute of a recreation all through his profession, apart from the opening minute.
And the group had been all there for Messi, as discovering an Aussie within the stands was like taking part in Where’s Wally?.
Source: www.news.com.au
