TOLikewise Diego Armando Maradona After receiving World Cup 1986Star Lionel Messi He can no longer walk the streets of Argentina in peace. At 35, Leo unleashed madness this week on his return to a football-obsessed country. Three months ago in Qatar.

Star of Paris Saint-Germain, who He arrived in his native country on Monday Almost a thousand people confirmed it this Tuesday morning to play in a friendly against Panama They surrounded the restaurant where he was dining With family and friends in Buenos Aires.

While the player was having dinner with his relatives at ‘Don Julio’, An internationally famous grill For his roasted meats, fans in the street shouted “Messi, Messi” and dedicated the classic songs of Argentine fans: “We’re going back with the hand of Leo Messi” and “Boys”, according to pictures that went viral on social networks.

Messi Had to be taken The police get into his car a block away. The rabid fans touched the player like it was a religious image and at the same time captured the moment on their cell phones. “Messi I love you” and “Thank you Leo”, were some of the phrases he said to him as he passed. “Thank you captain for seeing me, I can die in peace,” thanked Loli Francos on Twitter, who was able to approach Lionel and congratulate him.

Messi’s madness strikes again The fury unleashed by Maradona After the South American country won the World Cup in Mexico 36 years ago. The then captain also had to deal with throngs of fans who followed him wherever he went for a photo or autograph.

“Leo’s case seems beautiful to me because he deserves that love and he and all the players here,” the Argentina coach told a press conference on Tuesday. Lionel Scalloni, referring to the outrage created by its captain in the populace. “Leo also needs to see that people love him and what happens when he comes here, it’s beautiful and that will always be with him.”

It’s not always like this for Messi

Messi was met with indifference and opposition from many Albiceleste fans when he pointed to Argentina’s defeats in the Copa America finals (2007, 2015 and 2016) and the World Cup (2014). There are Too much criticism They led the player to withdraw from the national team in 2016, although he reconsidered over time.

After winning the World Cup, the biggest achievement of his successful career, there was speculation Continuity of Messi in selection or notEspecially after questioning whether he is going to play the 2026 World Cup.

“Messi is fine, he will keep coming, until he says otherwise, I will see what I will do if that happens, I will try to convince him,” Scaloni said. “Meanwhile He is happy to be on the field and in the national team“.

The striker will celebrate winning the World Cup with his teammates when they face Argentina in a friendly on Thursday against Panama at the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires With sold out tickets.

Security officers The exchange process is kept secret Fans blocked roads and accesses precisely from the team’s stadium in Ezeiza, a western suburb of the capital, to the memorial, fearing the bus would be blocked. They did not rule out the players traveling by helicopter.