Messi’s contribution to the national team remains vital even after their recent World Cup triumph. After ensuring Argentina’s victory against Ecuador on September 8, Lionel Messi returns to the national team to face Paraguay.
Despite Lionel Messi’s recent reduced playing time on the pitch due to injury, he featured in the match against Paraguay. Argentina managed to secure a 1-0 victory over Paraguay, with Nicolas Otamendi scoring the decisive goal. However, it was Messi’s altercation with Antonio Sanabria that became the focal point of attention in the headlines following the game.
Who is Paraguay player Antonio Sanabria?
Arnaldo Antonio Sanabria Ayala, commonly known as Toni Sanabria, was born in San Lorenzo, Paraguay, on March 4, 1996. In 2008, he relocated to Sitges, Spain, and in June 2009, he became a part of Barcelona’s youth academy. During his time at the club, he had the opportunity to play alongside Lionel Messi. He made his debut with Barcelona B in 2013, while he was still considered a youth player.
Antonio Sanabria is indeed a Paraguayan professional footballer who operates as a forward. Currently, he is a part of Serie A club Torino and represents the Paraguay national team.
Sanabria has had a notable career in professional football, and his contributions to both club and country are recognized in the sport.
Antonio Sanabria allegedly ‘spitting’ at Lionel Messi receives a strong message
Argentina and Inter Miami’s star player, Lionel Messi, overcame recent injury issues to make an appearance for the World Cup-winning Argentina team as they continued their qualifying campaign for the 2026 World Cup on Thursday night. Messi’s presence in the national team is always highly anticipated by fans and football enthusiasts around the world.
Lionel Messi, who led Argentina to victory in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, made a second-half appearance as a substitute for Argentina in their World Cup qualifier against Paraguay. He entered the game in the 53rd minute, replacing Manchester City striker Julian Alvarez at the Estadio Monumental.
Argentina was able to pull a late-minute winner, courtesy of Nicolas Otamendi, former Manchester City defender. However, the win has been overshadowed by the headlines that Antonio Sanabria spat at Lionel Messi.
During the game, Messi was observed in a tense altercation with Antonio Sanabria. Footage of the incident has surfaced on social media, suggesting that Sanabria may have spat in Messi’s direction
🚨🗣 Lionel Messi: "Sanabria (Paraguay player)? They told me in the locker room that someone spat on me. The truth is that I don't even know who that boy is. I prefer not to talk, otherwise he's going to go out and talk everywhere and will be known."pic.twitter.com/tA4VtHGZfk
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) October 13, 2023
Lionel Messi was questioned about the altercation after the game. But Messi downplayed the reports of any spitting but delivered a direct and straightforward message to his opponent.
“The truth is that I didn’t see it,” Messi told reporters after the game.
“I don’t want to give importance either because he’s going to come out, talk everywhere, and it’s worse.”
“It’s going to become known, so it’s better to leave it there.”
Antonio Sanabria also gave an interview after the game, refuting the allegation that he spat on Messi during the game. He provided his point of view, saying,
“I was looking at the image. It seems like I spit it out, but there’s nothing to see. It was far away.”
