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Lionel Messi recently participated in a game of padel, and fans on social media can’t get enough of the Argentina legend's new pastime. He was seen taking to the padel court with his Inter Miami teammate and close friend Luis Suarez. According to beIN Sports, the former Barcelona duo won a paid vacation for their family by winning the game.
Suarez had a bet with journalist Inaki Abadie, with the loser set to pay for a vacation for the winners and their families. They were free to choose a partner and the match was to be held in the US, where both Messi and Suarez are preparing for the upcoming Copa America 2024.
The report added that Suarez faked an injury during the match and that Messi was frustrated when things went against him.
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A video of the diminutive Argentine swinging his padel wildly has gone viral on social media, leaving fans in splits.
“He’s now the greatest to ever play it,” a user commented, along with a crying face emoji.
“This is just funny seeing the one who posses the greatest foot in history use his hands like that,” another wrote.
“Why is he angry,” a fan commented.
“This man has 0 worries He has won it all,” another wrote.
“Argentina are always favorites” - Lionel Messi ahead of Copa America 2024
Lionel Messi stated that Argentina are always among the favorites at the Copa America. However, he also acknowledged the added pressure on the side since they became world champions in 2022.
In an interview with America TV’s Marcelo Tinelli, Messi said:
“Argentina are always favourites. I think it is going to be a very eventful tournament because national teams are becoming better and better.”
“Argentina is always the favourite, we are like that and we take things for granted, that's why we took so many blows. Today we are the best because we won the World Cup, but the Copa America is going to be difficult,” he added.
Argentina will be looking to win their third straight major international title at this year’s Copa America. Messi ended his international trophy drought at the 2021 edition of the Copa America, where Argentina beat hosts Brazil 1-0 in the final at the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro.
La Albiceleste will begin their title defense against Canada at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, on Thursday, June 20. Argentina also have Peru and Chile for company in Group A.
