Lionel Messi: Australia players couldn't resist fanboying over Argentina superstar | OneFootball

Lionel Messi demonstrated why much of the footballing world regard him as the greatest player of all-time against Australia last night.

His Argentina team clashed with the Socceroos in the World Cup round of 16 at the Ahmad bin Ali Stadium.

Unsurprisingly, La Albiceleste were big favourites heading into the encounter after reeling off a 36-game undefeated streak prior to the tournament.

But it seemed the Aussies never got the memo and started the game on the front foot. Argentina looked lacklustre, with little energy or cohesion going into their pressing.

Some may have even begun to wonder whether the anomaly of a result against Saudi Arabia – who Messi and his teammates lost 2-1 to in their opening World Cup game – could potentially be on the cards once again.

In the 35th minute, though, all such suggestions were wiped away when Messi grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck and fired Argentina into the lead.

It was 1000th career game, an occasion which he marked in style with his first ever World Cup knockout goal.

Following his opener, Messi was in scintillating form and it’s a miracle that Argentina didn’t score more.

Such was his overall performance, several clips of the star in action against the Aussies have been going viral.

Although no moment was more impressive than when, in the second half, he picked up the ball and rolled back the years, taking on opposition player after opposition player in a marauding run up the field. Vintage Messi.

So, after putting in a performance for the ages, it’s no surprise many of the Australia players couldn’t help but fanboy over the icon.

Several of them deliberately waited for Messi outside the changing rooms, hoping to snap a pic with him.

And in classic Messi fashion, he duly obliged upon crossing paths with them.

Now, that is some elite content. Many of those Australia players will never play in a game of that magnitude again, so the fact they were on the same pitch as Messi when he dropped that masterclass must be some feeling.

Although maybe that’s something they’ll feel a little further down the line, given it was their World Cup hopes which were dashed through his magnificence.