Ever since Lionel Messi won the FIFA World Cup last year, he has become a cult hero in Argentina. For a long time, Messi had been heavily criticized for failing to lead Argentina to international glory. However, Messi’s Copa America triumph in 2021 and the recent World Cup title with Argentina have silenced the critics for good. During the PSG star’s latest visit to his country, the love Argentines have for Messi was seemingly visible.
After returning to Argentina, Messi went to have dinner with his family at the Don Julio restaurant in Buenos Aires. However, as soon as the fans got a sniff of Messi’s presence, they immediately flooded the streets to get a glimpse of their captain. Messi, on the other hand, didn’t disappoint the fans as he greeted the fans and managed to find his way back to his car with the help of his bodyguards.
The mob became so big that Messi’s car was escorted by police officials on their motorbikes. Unable to get enough of Messi, some fans decided to follow the former Barcelona star’s car. As the fan managed to catch up with Messi’s car, he started to serenade the Argentine star. However, to the utter surprise of the fan, Messi rolled down his windows and waved back at him.
Lionel Messi smiles again after betrayal by PSG fans
Fortunately, the lucky fan managed to capture the moment on his phone which he later uploaded to social media platforms. While fans have appreciated Messi’s beautiful gesture, some feared that it might have led to a dangerous accident. One fan even jokingly wrote, “He will cause accidents.” Unsurprisingly, the video has gone viral, amassing various reactions from the fans.
Here’s a series of Twitter reactions:
He will cause accidents 😹😭
— Ung⭕️vernable🖕 (@_WiseySA) March 22, 2023
What a crazy week for him. French media and Paris fans continue to bad mouth him after a loss and want him gone. The next week, he is loved back home and shares that love to everyone else (with rumors of Barca return).
— Sebi (@bigpuro) March 22, 2023
They way he’s embracing their love is so unbelievable.. so happy for him
— AFCMUSE (@afcmuse) March 22, 2023
Bro is going to get in a car accident driving while looking at Messi 😳
— GeekGirlHappyDance (@GeekGHappyDance) March 22, 2023
Aside winning the hearts of the people through football, he’s won our hearts in different ways… GOAT 🐐, FOR A REASON
— Acquah Elijah (@King_Lhyge) March 22, 2023
For Lionel Messi, being back in Argentina must surely feel like a breath of fresh air. Messi was criticized and whistled by the PSG fans last Sunday during PSG‘s 2-0 loss to Rennes. The French supporters seem to rather unfairly take out all their anger on the Argentine maestro for PSG’s recent Champions League disappointment. However, Messi seems to have left all of that behind as he focuses on the international break.
Thought Argentina’s World Cup fever might have died down?
Tickets just gone on sale for this month’s friendly against Panama.
Only a million or so in the queue 🤯 pic.twitter.com/2CpyHQNyZD
— GOLAZO (@golazoargentino) March 16, 2023
Lionel Messi headed back to the national team earlier this week for the first time since his triumph in Qatar. Messi and Argentina will play Panama and Curacao later this week in the upcoming international friendlies. These matches would allow the Argentine team to celebrate their World Cup title with the fans. As per reports, more than a million fans have applied for tickets for Argentina’s match against Panama.