Paredes: We'll do everything we can to make sure Messi never has a last game

Leonardo Paredes said Argentina are fighting to extend Lionel Messi’s time with the national team after their 3-2 comeback win over Egypt.

Argentina trailed 2-0 in a lively match before turning it around for a valuable victory. Paredes said the side knew they could not go home with that first-half scoreline and had to keep playing for the shirt.

“We are doing this so Lionel’s last match never comes,” he said after the game.

Paredes also pointed to a brief half-time conversation as a key moment. Argentina returned with more confidence and changed the flow of the match in the second half.

The midfielder had also been a doubt for the starting line-up because of injury, but he came in from the start and produced an eye-catching performance. Lionel Scaloni had already described Paredes’s fitness as one of the main uncertainties in selection.

Paredes said it was a privilege to represent Argentina and that the squad understands the responsibility that comes with the shirt.