It just had to be, didn’t it? Lionel Messi announced his return to the Argentina fold by scoring the game-winning goal for La Albiceleste against Uruguay, catapulting his country to the top of the CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying table in the process.
While Messi’s international retirement resulted in him missing zero action for Argentina, it was still an emotional return for the Barcelona man at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas in Mendoza, Argentina.
Messi displayed the same kind of uncontainable skill and drive that lit up the Copa America Centenario, emphasizing the ridiculousness of the 29-year-old retiring from international play at the height of his powers.
His goal was fit to win any match, even though Argentina still had it all to do following Paulo Dybala's second yellow card in first-half stoppage time.
GOOOOAAALLL!!@Teammessi roars @Argentina ahead with an individual move. 1-0. #Russia2018 https://t.co/HDeJh3jbpE
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 2, 2016
Argentina now have 14 points from their opening seven matches in qualifying, good for first in the standings. Uruguay now sit second, one point behind them.
Next for Messi and Argentina is a September 6th match against Venezuela.
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