This
Lionel Messi
who landed in Santiago del Estero to make the people of Santiago and the inhabitants of the neighboring provinces delirious is the same Messi as always, although with a different smile on his soul.
Obtaining the World Cup in Qatar marked a break and he took out a huge and heavy backpack, that's why the remembered
"that's it, that's it"
from Lusail.
Everything is a joy for the man from Rosario and so in the Madre de Ciudades he will seek to give something to the 42,000 people who will fill the stadium:
shout his 100th goal with the National Team shirt.
Messi does not get bored playing and scoring goals, so it is presumed that he will continue in a top team in Europe next season and that the journey through the United States or Arabia will be left for later.
He does not want to rest the
Flea
, no matter how much coach
Lionel Scaloni
asks him if he wants to be against Curaçao or not.
And the Rosario says yes, perhaps aware of what each of the pesos that the fans pay for the tickets is worth.
This old new Messi allowed himself some licenses in this window of
FIFA
friendlies : he danced at the private party that was set up on the AFA premises, attended
Tini Stoessel's birthday with his partner
Antonela Roccuzzo
, dined with Adrián Suar and later with Marcelo Tinelli, went to one of the most exclusive bars in Puerto Madero.
But nothing that happens outside the field made him lose focus and against Panama at the Monumental
he was able to crown the 800th goal of his career with a free kick into the corner
.
Messi and his first cry of 2023, against Panama: he has been scoring at least one goal with the Selecicón for 18 years.
Photo: EFE/ Juan Ignacio Roncoroni.
And if it is written about round numbers, it must be said that Leo will look for the 100th goal with the National Team shirt.
The 99 celebrations were achieved in 173 games, in which he gave 53 assists.
Of the many data that can be obtained, there is one that stands out for its impact:
Messi has been scoring at least one goal for the National Team for 18 years in a row
.
He just couldn't scream in 2005, the year of his debut.
Then, it was revealed: 2 in 2006, 6 in 2007, 2 in 2008, 3 in 2009, 2 in 2010, 4 in 2011, 12 in 2012, 6 in 2013, 8 in 2014, 4 in 2015, 8 in 2016, 4 in 2017, 4 in 2018, 5 in 2019, 1 in 2020, 8 in 2021, 18 in 2022 and 1 in this 2023.
Messi and the day of his first goal with the National Team: March 1, 2006, in a friendly against Croatia.
The public in Santiago del Estero will enjoy it, although they already know what it is to see Messi convert: in the Mother of Cities he scored against Chile in a 1-1 draw on June 3, 2021 for the South American Qualifiers.
It is clear that Buenos Aires is the Argentine city in which the Flea scored the most times: 18.
In addition, he celebrated in Mendoza -3-, in San Juan -3-, in Córdoba -2- and in La Plata -1-.
"I have always personally dreamed of this moment, being able to celebrate with you, coming to my country, Argentina, lifting a Copa América, the Finalissima and the greatest thing, which is the World Cup", were Messi's words at the Monumental packed.
It is hoped that he too will be able to say a few words to the crowd tonight, as well as give another Olympic lap of sorts.
He will spend the duel against Curaçao dressed in light blue and white and will leave for
France
to play perhaps his last games in
Paris Saint Germain
.
Then they will talk about his future.
It is known that the owners of PSG intend to renew it for at least one more year, although the sports project is shipwrecked year after year.
And Barcelona?
It is always a dream place for the entire Messi family, but the relationship with the culé leaders is distant.
Many rough edges will have to be ironed out.
Messi will play and go for goal 100 in Argentina;
Messi will play and once again there will be a party in the stands.
Santiago del Estero. Special delivery.
look also
Curacao arrived in Santiago del Estero: the unusual request for Messi and a team rating equivalent only to Thiago Almada
The madness for the National Team has already reached Santiago del Estero: thousands of fans waited for Messi at the hotel
