Messi on Why He Asked to Be Substituted for Argentina vs Ecuador: “I Was a Bit Tired”
- Lionel Messireturned to the international scene for Argentina in the World Cup qualifier
- He scored the only goal from a freekick to secure three points for the worldchampions
- The captain was substituted in the closing stages of the game and has revealed why
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Has Lionel Messi played too many games recently, or is age catching up on him? Fans are worried he was substituted during the international match, and his reason has done no good to the fears.
Messi started against Ecuador as Argentina began the road to the 2026 World Cupto defend their world title in the United States, Mexico and Canada.
The world champions endured a difficult evening against their fellow South Americans, and it was their captain who broke the deadlock in the 78th minute and won all three points.
As reported by Republic World, the goal brought him level on 29 goals with former club teammate Luis Suarezfor most goals in the CONMEBOL qualifying series.
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Football Why Messi was substituted vs EcuadorBarely 10 minutes after he scored what was the winning goal, he left the pitch to be replaced by Exequiel Palacios. He passed the captain's armband to Angel Di Maria and received a standing ovation from the El Monumental crowd, as spotted by Telemundo Deportes.
His substitution with minutes left to the end of the game worried fans, but head coach Lionel Scaloni allayed the fears.
The 36-year-old later revealed why he asked his manager to be removed, and it further raised the fears of the fans:
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