Lionel Messi: Ecuador Goalie Shares Emotional Story After Exchanging Shirts With Argentina Captain

• Argentina beat Ecuador 1-0 in the CONMEBOL edition of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier
• Lionel Messi scored the only goal of the game, leaving Hernan Galindez rooted to the spot
• The goalie exchanged shirts with Messi after the game, much to the dismay of fans

Ecuadorian goalkeeper Hernan Galindez knew what he was getting into when he exchanged shirts with Lionel Messi after losing 1-0 to Argentina in the World Cup qualifiers.

The world champions began the road to the defence of their crown at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada with a win over their South American counterparts.

Ecuador stood firm defensively but were undone by Messi's brilliant freekick in the second half, leaving the goalkeeper with no chance in trademark fashion.

The reigning Copa America champions won their second game without their captain, who was left out of the matchday squad to manage his workload, even though he was on the bench to provide moral support, as reported by BBC Sports.

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Galindez hits back at critics

Galindez met with Messi after the game and asked to exchange jerseys, which the Inter Miami star obliged, but the fans and media have been hammering his antics.

“There were journalists who said that I did not like Ecuador, but I showed a lot of love for this country. Swapping the shirt with Messi was a gift for my son, and I had promised him this for a long time,” he said after the game.

“I am 36 years old and have two sons. I knew I would be criticised if I swapped shirts with Messi, but the most important thing for me was my son's happiness when he received his role model's shirt. He is six years old, and it was worth it.”

Galindez's history with Messi

According to Bolavip US, Galindez and Messi were born in Rosario, in the Santa Fe region of Argentina, and were neighbours as kids and played their first football games together.

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Messi played for Newell's Old Boys, while the Ecuadorian played for Rosario Central.

"The first goal they scored against me in my life was scored by Messi. We were neighbours in Rosario, and we are the same age, so we faced each other many times," he told ESPN.

The Aucas goalkeeper nationalised as an Ecuadorian citizen in 2019, having begun the process in 2016.

Why Messi was substituted against Ecuador

Sports Brief reported on why Messi was substituted against Ecuador as head coach Lionel Scaloni cleared the air on hauling him off in the 87th minute after putting the team ahead.

Scaloni claimed it was the captain's request to be brought off, which the Inter Miami star clarified to be tiredness and that he is fine and not injured as many thought.