A scenario of wonder and strangeness occurs with Messi in the last 30 seconds of the match between Argentina and Ecuador. It began with a selfish shot from Enzo and ended with a strange execution of a free kick from Messi.

Minute 95: The referee was preparing to blow the final whistle, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez sent an imaginary pass to Enzo Fernandez and in a skillful way positioned himself alone in front of the Ecuadorian goal, and suddenly something strange happened that made Messi angry and emotional.

A scenario of wonder and strangeness occurs with Messi in the last 30 seconds of the match between Argentina and Ecuador. It began with a selfish shot from Enzo and ended with a strange execution of a free kick from Messi.

Minute 95: The referee was preparing to blow the final whistle, but Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez sent an imaginary pass to Enzo Fernandez and in a skillful way positioned himself alone in front of the Ecuadorian goal, and suddenly something strange happened that made Messi angry and emotional.

Lionel Messi played his first international for almost seven months as Argentina warmed up for the Copa America with a 1-0 win over Ecuador in Chicago.

The Inter Miami forward, who missed two Argentina friendlies in March with a hamstring injury, came on as a 56th-minute substitute for Angel di Maria at Soldier Field.

Di Maria, captaining the side in Messi’s absence, scored in the 40th minute after a superb pass from Tottenham defender Cristian Romero.

“With Leo, there is no need to risk him,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.

“We want to take care of these players and allow them to arrive in their best possible conditions to the tournament.”

World champions Argentina face Guatemala in another friendly in Maryland on Saturday before they begin their Copa America defence against Canada on 21 June.

Lionel Messi reveals which player runs Argentina’s WhatsApp group and what it’s called ahead of Copa America

Messi has revealed the star behind the Argentina WhatsApp group.

Lionel Messi has revealed the name of the Argentina squad’s WhatsApp chat and which player is the group admin.

The 2022 World Cup saw Argentina end a 36-year wait to win become world champions, with Lionel Messi finally getting his hands on the famous World Cup trophy.

Lionel Scaloni’s side were fully deserving of their triumph, even if they did have to win two penalty shootouts along the way.

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Messi and his teammates more than played their part in arguably the greatest World Cup final of all-time, which they won on penalties after drawing 3-3 with France.

18 months on, Argentina are looking to win a third successive major tournament.

After winning the 2021 Copa America and then the World Cup, Scaloni’s side will travel to the United States later this month for the 2024 Copa America.

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One of the things that stood out about Argentina in Qatar 18 months ago was the chemistry and harmony of the squad.

That has certainly not always been the case at past tournaments, with falling outs and disputes within squads not uncommon.

What was clear in Qatar was that Argentina’s stars wanted to win the World Cup for Messi as much as they did themselves.

Lionel Messi and Argentina are looking to win a third successive tournament. (Getty)

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They are all clearly friends off the pitch, something shown by the fact they are all in a WhatsApp group.

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In an interview with Infobae, Messi spilled the beans on the ‘secret’ group chat, although he admitted his teammates won’t be happy with him.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner revealed that the group chat is called ‘World Champions’, and that AS Roma midfielder Leandro Paredes manages the group.

After revealing the information, Messi said: “They’re going to kill me later! They are going to kill me.”

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Jude Bellingham reacts to front three of Lionel Messi, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe

Argentina will begin their Copa America campaign against Canada in Atlanta in June 21, before facing Chile in New Jersey on June 26 and Peru in Miami on June 30, though not at the home of Messi’s Inter Miami.