How Lionel Messi trolled Paulinho when Argentina played Brazil | OneFootball

Paulinho has revealed the unusual tactic used by Lionel Messi to distract him from taking a free-kick when the pair met at international level last year.

A month before Paulinho joined Barcelona, Argentina took on Brazil in a friendly at Melbourne Cricket Ground.

Speculation was rife at the time regarding the midfielder’s impending €40m switch from Chinese Super League side Guangzhou Evergrande and as he lined up a set-piece, Messi took the opportunity to quiz him about the rumours.

“I was preparing to take a free-kick with Willian and another player I do not remember,” Paulinho told El Periodico.

“Suddenly, I see Messi from behind, who is approaching me little by little and says: ‘Are you going to Barcelona or not?’. He told me right before I was about to take the free-kick.

“What did I tell him? ‘If you want to take me, you can take me. I am going’.

“I was so nervous that I said to Willian, ‘You’re taking the free-kick!’.”

Argentina went on to win the game 1-0 and Messi demonstrated that he’s not just a brilliant footballer, but a pretty good sledger too.