The Argentine star, Lionel Messi, left his injury behind and responded to his critics with a double against Peru in the World Cup Qualifiers.
Luis Guillermo Vázquezluis_lgazulCalum RocheEnglish_ASEstados UnidosUpdate: Oct 18th, 2023 01:20 EDT
Paolo AguilarEFE
Criticism in Miami intensified the pressure on Lionel Messi. Following Inter Miami’s loss at the hands of FC Cincinnati and his absence from four matches, including the US Open Cup final, the superstar became the target of media scrutiny.
Oh my, Messi! 🇦🇷🤩 pic.twitter.com/AkVA1MdE4A
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2023
Messi far from finished
Some were even contemplating Messi’s retirement from the Argentine national team. Could the era of arguably the greatest ever be drawing to a close? Lionel Scaloni thought not and made his intentions clear by selecting him as a starter in the match against Peru.
“We are shooting ourselves in the foot. We are retiring Messi. We must seize this moment while he is with us and not dwell on what the future may hold,” Scaloni said prior to the game.
MESSI AGAIN!! Leo has a brace vs. Peru. 😤 pic.twitter.com/n1njZ3UfUW
— Major League Soccer (@MLS) October 18, 2023
How Messi responded
The right hamstring injury, which prevented Inter Miami from fielding him in several matches, appeared to be in the past, as the former Barcelona player shone with a brace to orchestrate Argentina’s victory, establishing them as the clear leaders in the CONMEBOL qualifiers.
¡Un doblete para Leo Messi en la victoria de @Argentina frente a Perú! 🐐🇦🇷📸 @fifaworldcup_es pic.twitter.com/zm4HZAUiMO
— MLS Español (@MLSes) October 18, 2023
