Video: Lionel Messi refuses to get substituted; Neymar comes off instead
Lionel Messi reportedly refused to be substituted during Barcelona’s 3-0 win over Eibar, defying instructions from new manager Luis Enrique.
According to the AS, Enrique wanted to replace Messi with Munir El Haddadi after 76 minutes with the game all but won at 3-0. He gestured to the Argentine superstar clearly mouthing “Leo! Leo!” in a bid to get his attention.
But the 27-year-old was in no mood to come off. He had just scored his 250th La Liga goal in the match, and was just one away from equalling Atletic Bilbao’s Telmo Zarra‘s all-time record of 251 goals in the league. In the end, it was Neymar who had to make way for Munir.
Asked about the incident, Enrique said:
“I have to evaluate everything, but I trust my feelings of what I said and how it is. Throughout the season rest is important, but I think it is a special moment for the team and for him.
“Sometimes I look on from the sidelines and say how lucky we are to have Messi.”
Check out Messi’s 250th La Liga goal below:
The Argentina captain will get an opportunity to break the long-standing record against arch-rivals Real Madrid in the El Clasico next week, with team-mate Luis Suarez set to make his debut.