And he finished his last preparations in classic Messi fashion, scoring a goal and making history for Argentina.
Messi returned to action on Tuesday after suffering an injury scare in Inter Miami’s penultimate Major League Soccer game before the midseason break for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi led the reigning World Cup champions to a 3-0 victory against Iceland in a friendly at Alabama’s Jordan-Hare Stadium, which drew over 88,000 fans.
he entered the game in the 70th minute, with La Albiceleste leading 1-0 thanks to Valentin Barco’s eighth-minute score, and he took less than 60 seconds to have an impact.
Read Also:Xabi Alonso Urged To Raid Liverpool For A Surprise Reunion As Chelsea First Transfer
Moments after entering the game, the 38-year-old split the Icelandic defenders with a splitting ball to Lautaro Martinez, who was in on goal before being upended by the goalie.
Messi placed the ball into the top corner from the penalty spot, becoming Argentina’s oldest scorer at 38 years, 11 months and 18 days, surpassing Angel Labruna, who was 38 years, 9 months, and 10 days old when he last scored for his nation.
The maestro also contributed significantly to Argentina’s third goal, swapping passes with club teammate Rodrigo De Paul before Thiago Almada completed the move and secured a 3-0 victory for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
Messi surprised after shaking hands with Eidur Gudjohnsen’s kid, Daniel.
After the referee blew the final whistle and the players from each squad shook hands, Messi was noticeably surprised by what Iceland forward Daniel Gudjohnsen told him.
Of course, the 20-year-old Gudjohnsen’s father is Eidur Gudjohnsen, a former Bolton Wanderers and Chelsea forward who also spent three years with Messi at Barcelona.
Gudjohnsen addressed himself as “Hi, you played with my dad,” according to numerous stories.
Following the game, Argentina’s talismanic captain said that the encounter had taken him by surprise, demonstrating how long he has been playing top football.
“He said to me, ‘Do you remember who I am?'” Messi told reporters after the game: “I was startled at the time. Then he informed me that he was [Eidur] Gudjohnsen’s son. “I honestly didn’t remember because he was so small.”I recall bumping into him with his father at a training session.
Messi and Gudjohnsen played 67 games together with the La Liga giants, totaling 2,223 minutes.
COMMENTS