LIONEL MESSI was floored by his OWN TEAM-MATE during Argentina's clash against Ecuador last night.
The Argentine captain was attempting to make a run into the box when he collided with the shoulder of team-mate Lautaro Martinez on the edge of the area.
Despite his fine form for Inter Milan, Martinez has struggled to replicate his club performances in an Argentina shirt.
One fan said: "Sums up his match." Alongside a crying emoji.
Another wrote: "Lautraro in an Argentina shirt in recent years." Which was accompanied by a picture of a stressed out looking Gonzalo Higuain.
A third wrote: "Someone check Martinez's passport, he is not Argentinian."
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While a fourth added: "Thank God de Paul was not around Messi, that would have been the last time we see Lautaro Martinez on football pitch." – Which referenced Rodrigo de Paul's reputation for being Messi's on-field bodyguard.
Argentina would go on to win the tight-game 1-0 thanks to a stunning 78th minute free-kick from Messi.
Crucial free-kicks have become even more of a signature of Messi's lately, with the forward scoring them with regularity for his new side Inter Miami.
Messi has 11 goals and five assists in just 11 games since joining Miami and looks to be enjoying his football again after a difficult spell at PSG.
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There had been speculation that Messi would retire from the national team following his World Cup win in Qatar but for now he looks to be continuing until the 2024 Copa America at the very least.
And his goal against Ecuador put Argentina one step closer towards qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in North America amid rising hope that Messi may play in this too.
The President of the Argentine FA, Claudio Tapa, echoed the hopes of his nation when he said he wishes for Messi to play at the 2026 World Cup in an interview before the game.
He said: "He always goes for more. He never leaves you. He always surprises you, he goes for more. You can imagine it. How can I not imagine it? I would like him to be there. With the conditions he has, he could easily play in the 2026 World Cup.
"Modric does it for his team, [Andres] Iniesta did it for Barcelona. It depends on him, on what he feels. I see him playing in the World Cup, playing in the position he wants. He can really do it. It will depend on what he wants. I dream about that."
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