Lionel Messi ‘grateful’ to Argentine fans after homecoming celebration

BUENOS AIRES: Lionel Messi has sent a heartfelt message to fans after Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Panama in the Albiceleste’s first match since winning the World Cup in December.

Thursday’s friendly was played in a festive spirit as more than 80,00 people crammed into the Monumental Stadium in Buenos Aires to see their World Cup heroes.

“Many times I imagined what it could be like to return to my country as a world champion but now I have no words to explain what I feel, how grateful I am to all the people for their love,” Messi said in a social media post on Friday. Messi netted his 800th career goal and Argentina’s second for the match with a superb late free-kick. The strike means he has now scored 99 times for Argentina, in addition to his 701 goals at the club level.

In an emotion-charged ceremony after the match, Argentina’s players lifted replica World Cup trophies as they were surrounded by their families. IANS