Lionel Messi was photographed getting a lighthearted slap from Rodrigo de Paul during an Argentina training session.
As they prepare for their forthcoming friendlies against Honduras and Jamaica, Messi and his international teammates are in Miami.
In the video, De Paul of Atletico Madrid and Messi of Paris Saint-Germain were seen making fun of one another. Messi is seen saying something that prompts De Paul to give him a cheeky slap. The video is available to view below.
Both players were grinning after the slap, and at this point Leandro Paredes led De Paul away while grinning about the incident.
According to the Spanish news outlet Mundo Deportivo, De Paul reportedly said to the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, “Are you stupid, Leo?”
As Argentina prepares to compete for the World Cup in Qatar, De Paul and Messi are essential members of the team.
Prior to facing Jamaica on Tuesday night at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, Lionel Scaloni’s team will play Honduras on Friday.
Argentina will play United Arab Emirates in a friendly match six days before they begin their World Cup campaign.
Argentina, Saudi Arabia, Mexico, and Poland are all in Group C for the World Cup. They will be the overwhelming favorites to win their group and advance to the tournament’s knockout rounds.
Lionel Messi, who won the Copa America in 2021 and the Finalissima in 2022, hopes to build on his impressive recent international performance at the World Cup.
During an interview with L’Equipe, former France international Marcel Desailly discussed Messi’s chances at the World Cup.
He said: “Messi remains an exceptional player, but he never made a World Cup like Maradona in 1986.”
“He is able to defy the elements if the opponent gives him space because he is a ‘killer’. But in a World Cup, there are no coincidences. You need continuity in performance and I don’t believe that one individual can still hold a team and make the difference in an entire tournament.”
With PSG, Messi has enjoyed a strong start to the year. The Argentine superstar has six goals and eight assists in 11 appearances across all competitions.
