Messi On Target For Argentina In Friendly Against Brazil
Lionel Messi was on target for Argentina as the Alberceleste came out tops in Friday’s internatioal friendly against Brazil in Saudia Arabia.
The Barcelona forward found the net just inside of 13 minutes into his return for his national side.
Argentina were awarded a penalty in the 12th minute which Messi attempted to beautifully tuck into the left part of the goal. However, Brazil goalie, Alisson kept out the ball in the first attempt.
That said, Messi reacted quickest to the ball, tucking in the rebound with his left foot to give his side the lead.
Prior to that, Brazil had a chance of their own but failed to put it in goal. They were awarded a penalty following a foul on Gabriel Jesus by German Pezzella.
Manchester City striker, Gabriel Jesus stepped up to take the penalty and just like he missed for the Citizens against Atalanta just before the International break, the Brazilian produced an equally weak effort that rolled harmlessly wide of goal.
Lionel Messi hasn’t starred for Argentina since he was sent off in Alberceleste’s third-place game against Chile at the Copa America in early July.
Following his side’s 2-1, the five-time Balon D’Or winner made some controversial comments where he accused CONMEBOL of corruption following some questionable refereeing decisions in the teams’ semi-final loss to Brazil.
Consequently, he fetching himself a ban that lasted a couple of games.
Having served in full his ban, he was a star performer for the Argentina National side as they edged past one of their greatest South American rivals.
Messi has now netted 69 goals for his country, a whopping 29 goals adrift of his decade-long rival, Cristiano Ronaldo who has found the net 98 times for Portugal.
Ronaldo aiming to beat the world-record or at least equal the record set by Iran legend Ali Daei who found the net on 109 occasions for his National side.
HAVE YOU READ: Ronaldo Bags Another Hattrick Despite ‘Knee Problem’
