Lionel Messi Receives Apology from Paraguay Defender After Fans Throw Bottles at Argentina Captain
Source: Hindustan Times
Lionel Messi and Argentina were handed a disappointing 1-2 defeat by Paraguay in Asuncion on Friday, with the match marked by high tension and some controversial moments. In the 32nd minute, Paraguayan defender Omar Alderete was issued a yellow card, but things heated up when he fouled Messi during a counter-attack just five minutes later. Despite the obvious foul, referee Anderson Daronco did not hand Alderete a second yellow card, which left Messi visibly frustrated. At halftime, Messi confronted the referee, pointing his finger at him, expressing his displeasure with the decisions.
Things took a darker turn in the second half when Messi went to take a corner. Paraguay fans, in a disgraceful act, threw bottles at the Argentina captain while he was preparing for the set-piece. This unsporting behavior from the fans only added to the tension of the match, but in an act of goodwill, Omar Alderete took to Instagram to apologize to Messi on behalf of Paraguay and its supporters.
“I want to apologize to you, Leo Messi, on behalf of my country for the unfortunate incident where someone threw a bottle at you. You are an idol for millions here and around the world (especially for Fede). We deeply regret this disrespectful act that does not reflect the affection and admiration we feel for you,” Alderete wrote in his Instagram post.
As for the match, it began with Argentina taking the lead early in the 11th minute when Enzo Fernandez found Lautaro Martinez, who made it 1-0. Paraguay quickly responded in the 19th minute, with Antonio Sanabria scoring a sensational bicycle kick to level the score. Just two minutes into the second half, Alderete headed in from a free-kick to give Paraguay a 2-1 lead, which they held onto until the final whistle.
Despite their best efforts, Messi and Argentina were unable to secure a comeback. They will now be looking to break their three-match winless streak when they face Peru on November 19. After the match, Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, expressed his disappointment: “The goal early in the second half made things more difficult for us. We must congratulate the opponent, who defended very well and deserved the win.”
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