Following Argentina’s win in the early hours of June 10 (Hanoi time), Lionel Messi decided to gift a special souvenir to Kendry Paez, a rising star from the Ecuadorian national team. The football star exchanged jerseys with the 17-year-old player, showing sportsmanship and camaraderie beyond the game.
After the game, Messi swapped jerseys with a 17-year-old player from Ecuador’s national team. The cameras captured the scene as the captain of the Argentinian team removed his shirt and handed it to Paez. Following the exchange, Leo warmly greeted and embraced the talented young midfielder from Ecuador.
Paez delivered a standout performance against the Argentine national team. A post on X (Twitter) remarked, “He navigates the field with finesse, whether it’s the left, right, or center.” Another added, “His potential is definitely promising.”
Paez made a big impact back home with Independiente del Valle, causing quite a stir in the local football scene. In a match against the reigning Copa America champions, this talented midfielder, born in 2007, even had the honor of wearing the number 10 jersey. Exciting news was shared on Chelsea’s official website, announcing Paez’s upcoming arrival at the club in the summer of 2025. Cameras caught the 17-year-old shaking hands with Enzo Fernandez, a midfielder for Chelsea, after the thrilling match against Argentina.
Fans are eager to see how Paez will fare in the upcoming Copa America, as he is officially listed on coach Felix Sanchez’s team roster for the tournament.
Messi, who plays for Inter Miami, was seen as underwhelming by viewers during the game against Ecuador. Despite this, Argentina managed to secure a victory with a goal from Angel Di Maria. Next up, “La Albiceleste” will face off against the Guatemala national team in another friendly match. Following that, coach Lionel Scaloni’s squad will set their sights on defending their title at the Copa America 2024.
