Matias Vargas, once a player for Espanyol in Spain and later a member of Shanghai Port in China, shared insights in a recent interview. The story weaves together memories from the field, playful competitiveness with Lionel Messi, and a notable career arc that spans several top clubs and international stages.
Vargas recalled a quirky, intimate detail from his encounters with Messi. He said he slept beside Messi’s shirt for two or three months, placing it near his pillow because it carried the energy of the games they shared. He described the jersey as dirty, yet he kept it close as a reminder of their on pitch rivalry and occasional exchanges of shirts after clashes. He joked with a light-hearted tone about laundry duties, noting that his mother asked to wash the shirt, while Vargas insisted Messi should take care of it himself. The anecdote reveals a playful side of professional football, where even the simplest items can carry deep meaning for players who share the field and compete at the highest level.
Vargas had the chance to swap shirts with Messi after a tense 2-2 draw against Barcelona in January 2020. That moment stands out as a highlight in a career marked by versatility and adaptability across different leagues. His journey included a stint at Paris Saint-Germain in France, where he spent two seasons before Messi’s move to Inter Miami in the summer of 2023. Messi’s transition to MLS brought a new wave of attention to American soccer, and the Argentine icon quickly added to his trophy cabinet. In 2023, Messi helped Inter Miami secure the League Cup, achieving a significant milestone in the American soccer landscape. Over 14 appearances with Inter Miami that season, Messi contributed 11 goals and 5 assists, underscoring his enduring impact on the field. Unfortunately, Inter Miami did not reach the playoffs that year, a setback amid the broader excitement surrounding Messi’s arrival in the United States.
The football world continued to follow Messi’s career with interest as he joined a new chapter with Inter Miami. In December 2022, Messi helped Argentina win the World Cup, a triumph that cemented his status among the sport’s all-time greats. At the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, he scored seven goals in seven matches, including several penalties, and delivered a decisive performance in the final against France, securing Argentina’s dramatic victory. The World Cup triumph added a remarkable chapter to Messi’s storied legacy and energized fans across North America and beyond.
The global spotlight on Argentina intensified during the 2026 World Cup qualifiers, with Argentina leading the South American group and earning momentum in the race to reach the tournament hosted in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. A recent qualifier saw Argentina win 1-0 on the road against Brazil, a result that underscored the depth and resilience of the Argentine squad. The narrative around Argentina remains one of growth, persistence, and a deep commitment to football that resonates with fans across the Americas.
In a separate but telling moment, officials and former teammates emphasized a broader challenge facing the sport today. Contemporary discussions around club stability and competitive expectations have prompted discussions about the health and direction of certain teams, including claims about deliberate attempts to undermine clubs. These statements reflect the intense pressures within professional football, where performances, management decisions, and media narratives all intersect to shape a club’s fate and legacy.