After Argentina’s 1-0 victory on the morning of June 10 (Hanoi time), Lionel Messi gave a special gift to Kendry Páez, a young talent of the Ecuadorian national team.

Messi exchanged shirts with the 17-year-old Ecuadorian national team player.

Messi exchanged shirts with the 17-year-old Ecuadorian national team player.

Messi exchanged shirts with the 17-year-old Ecuadorian national team player.

Immediately after the match ended, the camera lens captured the moment when the captain of “La Albiceleste” took off his shirt and handed it to Páez. Immediately after, Leo shook hands and hugged the young Ecuadorian midfielder.

Paez had an impressive performance against Argentina. “He handles the left, right and midfield very well,” commented one account on X (Twitter). Another commented: “His future is really bright.”

Páez once caused a stir in his homeland with Independiente del Valle. In the match against the reigning Copa América champion, this midfielder born in 2007 also wore the number 10 shirt.

Chelsea’s homepage also announced that Paez will be a club player from the summer of 2025. The camera captured the image of the 17-year-old shaking hands with Enzo Fernandez, a midfielder on the Stamford Bridge team’s payroll, after the match against Argentina.

With his name on the list of players entered for the Copa América by coach Félix Sánchez’s team, many fans are hoping for Páez’s performance in the upcoming tournament.

As for Messi, fans judged that the Inter Miami striker had a mediocre performance in the match against Ecuador. However, Argentina won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Angel Di Maria.

“La Albiceleste” will have one more friendly match with the Guatemalan national team. Afterwards, coach Lionel Scaloni’s team will begin the campaign to defend the championship in the 2024 Copa América.