Argentinian striker Lionel Messi refused the captain’s armband when he entered the game as a substitute. The legendary football player entered the game instead of Julián Alvarez in the 53rd minute of the Paraguay match.
Leo refused the captaincy, but Nicolas Otamendi still gave the armband to Messi with a smile.
The match in the third round of the 2026 World Cup qualifications, which took place at the Antonio Vespucci Liberty (Monumental) stadium in Buenos Aires (Argentina), resulted in a 1:0 victory for the Argentines. Otamendi scored the only goal.
The Argentine national team is leading the group with nine points after three matches. Paraguay is in seventh place with one point.
After playing for two years in the French team Paris Saint-Germain, Messi was transferred to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. He made his debut for the club by scoring from a free kick in the first leg. On August 20, the Argentinian won his first trophy in America. Inter Miami won the League Cup by beating Nashville in a penalty shootout in the last match of the tournament (10:9).
Previously reportedIt was claimed that the Paraguay national team player spat on Messi during the match.