Lionel Messi Jokes With Teammates by Faking an Injury During Argentina’s Public Training

• Lionel Messi pulled a prank on his teammates after he faked an injury during Argentina training session on Monday
• Messi joined his teammates as the South American champions prepare to face the United Arab Emirates in an international friendly
• Argentina, who were world champions in 1978 and 1986, play their Group C matches against Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland

Lionel Messi decided to play with the hearts of his fans after he faked an injury with his teammates during an Argentina team training session.

The Paris Saint-Germain star arrived at the Argentina camp in Abu Dhabi alongside Juventus pair Angel Di Maria and Leonardo Paredes on Monday morning.

The 35-year-old did not waste time, as he joined Argentina’s public training session in the afternoon.

In footage posted on Twitter, spotted by Sports Brief, Messi was captured grabbing the back of his leg and appearing to suffer a hamstring injury during the practice.

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However, it was just a joke, as he faked an injury to have a laugh with teammate Rodrigo De Paul.

Argentina is scheduled to play against the UAE at the Mohammed bin Zayed Stadium on Wednesday, November 16, in their only friendly match before their first group game in Qatar.

Messi will be hoping to lead Argentina to their third World Cup title in the Middle East, with La Albiceleste having already won the tournament twice in 1978 and 1986.

Argentina is competing in Group C at the 2022 World Cup against Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Poland respectively.

Could Messi end knockout drought?

Messi will be aiming to score his first World Cup knockout goal when the 2022 FIFA World Cup enters its latter stages in Qatar.

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The 35-year-old forward has participated in 4 World Cups between 2006 and 2018, but he has not managed to score in the playoffs or knockout stages, Trend News Detail reports.

Messi has featured in 8 different knockout matches at 4 different World Cups, but has failed to find the back of the net in any of them.

4 records Messi can break

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Messi will make another stab at winning the FIFA World Cup and complete the set of trophies available to him.

For a player who has set the pace of football discussion for more than 10 years, it is surprisingly weird that he is yet to win the coveted Mundial.

Once Messi captains the side in their first match against Saudi Arabia on November 22, he will become the youngest player ever to participate in five World Cups, at 35 years old.