The captain requested the substitution in the closing stages after dealing with physical discomfort throughout the match.
Argentina visited Rio de Janeiro to face Brazil at the Maracaná after the sixth day of the 2026 South American Qualifiers. In a tense match, with heavy police repression in the build-up, an unusual event took place: Lionel Messi left before the final whistle.
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A physical condition in the right adductor caused him to suffer all night. Already in the initial phase he asked for the area to be massaged, he was even the first to go to the locker room during half time.
After 75 minutes, with the Albiceleste team already ahead, he decided to tell Lionel Scaloni to take him off. This is how the season of the best player in the world ends.
At the end of the match, Messi said: “I felt a discomfort in my adductor. It didn’t help me cool down, but it was my last match. I have time to get better now, I’m going to prepare in the match .” the best way to have a great year.”
Source: Goal