LIONEL MESSI asked to be substituted during Argentina’s 1-1 draw with Colombia.
The Inter Miami superstar, 37, has been back in action with the reigning world champions this month having missed the March international break.
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Messi started as Lionel Scaloni’s men took on Colombia in Buenos Aires.
Argentina have already comfortably qualified for next summer’s World Cup finals, but regardless the match turned out to be a feisty affair.
Liverpool star Luis Diaz gave Colombia a first half lead courtesy of a brilliant solo goal.
The game reached a major flashpoint on 70 minutes, when Enzo Fernandez was sent off for kicking Kevin Castano in the head with a high challenge.
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Fernandez’s tackle prompted a scuffle between the two teams, as Castano dramatically writhed around on the ground.
Amid the melee, Messi exchanged harsh words with Colombian counterpart James Rodriguez.
Argentina’s legendary No10 is said to have been unhappy about Rodriguez claiming that his side had gotten lucky with refereeing decisions during last year’s Copa America final triumph.
Messi then appeared to get away with throwing an elbow towards Crystal Palace star Daniel Munoz.
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The former Barcelona star was somewhat surprisingly substituted on 78 minutes, as 10-man Argentina chased an equaliser.
But it proved to be an inspired choice, as his replacement Exequiel Palacios teed up Lyon‘s Thiago Almada to equalise in the 81st minute.
After the game, Scaloni explained the decision to take off Messi.
The Argentina boss said: “Leo wasn’t going to come off, but he ended up coming off near the end.
“He told me it was better for him to come off, and so we decided to change him.
“The good thing we always showed, with 10 men and without Messi, is that we kept looking, not giving up on a ball. That makes us very satisfied.”
Argentina are 10 points clear of second-placed Ecuador in the South American World Cup qualifying standings.
Messi and Co will conclude their qualifying campaign with matches against Venezuela and Ecuador in September.
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