Panama players use a game of rock-paper-scissors to decide who gets Enzo Fernández’s Argentina shirt after taking on the £107m Chelsea star in their 2-0 defeat in Buenos Aires .
- Argentina beat Panama 2-0 in their friendly in Buenos Aires on Thursday
- Lionel Messi scored his 800th career goal in the game with a free kick
- Two players from Panama played rock-paper-scissors for Enzo Fernández’s shirt
Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was stumped on Thursday after two opponents played a game of rock-paper-scissors to decide who would get his shirt.
It came after Argentina beat Panama 2-0 in Buenos Aires, with Lionel Messi scoring the second free kick to take him to 800 career goals.
Fernández, who joined Chelsea for a British record £107m in January, was clearly popular with the visitors when two players argued over who should get his shirt.
They resorted to a game of rock, paper or scissors, which seemed to amuse the Argentine star, who smiled before moving away from them. It is unclear who ended up with the jersey.
Fernández’s clear appeal to his teammates was typical of the position he has achieved in world soccer in recent months.
Argentina beat Panama 2-0 in their international friendly in Buenos Aires on Thursday
Two players from Panama played rock-paper-scissors for Enzo Fernández’s shirt after the game
Despite only arriving at Benfica for the summer, the 22-year-old shone at the World Cup in November and secured a move to Stamford Bridge soon after.
Since then, he has been a standout player for the Blues and a key player in their resurgence in recent weeks.
The Panama game was Argentina’s first since lifting the trophy in Qatar last year, and began with a grand reception for the returning champions from a crowd of 80,000 at the Estadio Monumental.
After the victory, in which Thiago Almada also capitalized on his impressive MLS form with a first international goal, Messi addressed the fans amid a lively atmosphere in the Argentine capital.
Lionel Messi scored the 800th goal of his career, and the 99th for the country, with a late free kick
He was enthusiastically received in Argentina’s first game since winning the World Cup.
Standing in front of the World Cup trophy and surrounded by his players, the Argentine legend shared that he had “dreamed” of celebrating in his home country.
“I want to thank all the love we have been receiving, not only for being world champions, but also for the Copa América in advance. We had said that we were going to do everything we could for this,’ he began.
“I always dreamed of this moment, celebrating it with you,” an emotional Messi said after the game, standing with his family on the pitch.
If he scores another goal in Argentina’s next friendly against Curaçao on Tuesday, he will reach the 100-goal mark for the national team.