Lionel Messi sees thousands of fans gatecrash dinner on Argentina homecoming

21 March 2023 , 09:03

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Lionel Messi, wearing the white t-shirt, is seen walking through the restaurant (Image: @porquetendencia)

Lionel Messi was swarmed by hundreds of fans in Argentina as he went for dinner in his homeland.

The 35-year-old led his country to the World Cup in December and has since celebrated with them in a parade just days later. Argentina will now play two friendlies on home soil for the first time since that triumph in Qatar later this week.

It means Messi is back in Argentina before they take on Panama on Friday - and is struggling for any privacy. Their World Cup triumph has seen the PSG star thrust onto the same heroic level as his hero, Diego Maradona, after ending their lengthy wait for success on the international stage.

Hundreds of fans surrounded the restaurant (@porquetendencia)

The PSG star eventually needed a police escort to get through the crowds (@porquetendencia)

Messi was seen arriving into a restaurant before word clearly got out and fans gradually packed the area. Some made it inside whilst hundreds covered the outside, which eventually led to Messi getting a police escort in an effort to avoid the crowds, who chanted his name.

The former Barcelona man seemed at ease with the situation and was captured smiling by the camera. Argentina will also take on Curacao, the side ranked 86th in the world, four days after their Panama class. Their first outing will be held at El Monumental in Buenos Aires before they head to the Estadio Único Madre de Ciudades in the north of the country.

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Lionel Scaloni recently penned a new deal that keeps him in his post until 2026 and he's named a 35-man squad for the two games. Ten Premier League players are included alongside Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho, whose performances have been rewarded.

Messi's manic night comes amid uncertainty surrounding his PSG future. The Parisians lost at home to Rennes at the weekend, which comes 11 days after there were also knocked out of the Champions League with their season set to underwhelm.

The Argentine is into his second year at the Parc des Princes but the French club are undecided as to whether they want to retain the forward for another season ahead of a major rebuild. PSG fans are divided over whether Messi should remain at the club, which is a major factor being considered by the board, according to L'Equipe.

There has been continued rumours regarding a return to Barcelona, with the club keen to have him back at the Nou Camp. Messi has also talked up the possibility of seeing out his career in the MLS with Inter Miami touted as an option whilst huge sums could also be on offer in the Middle East.

Samuel Meade