Messi mania grips Argentina in 1st match as World Cup champs
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Messi mania has gripped Buenos Aires as the Argentina national team led by captain Lionel Messi faces Panama on Thursday in a friendly match that essentially is a celebration of their World Cup victory in December. The match will culminate a week in which Messi was widely celebrated as a hero after winning Argentina’s third World Cup title, a marked change for the player who once suffered the indifference and even apathy from many Argentina fans who blamed him for the country’s failings in previous championships. The Paris Saint-Germain player needed a police escort to leave but was all smiles as people shouted “Messi I love you” and “Thank you, Leo.” The next day, a group of fans realized the car next to them on the highway was carrying the man who is often described as the world’s best soccer player. The celebrations will also include a moment when Messi will receive the World Cup in front of more than 80,000 Argentina fans in a recreation of the ceremony that took place in Doha.