A tribute match that featured Lionel Messi was so much fun the referee wanted to get involved in the play - but the eager official was soon made to regret his involvement
Ref gets involved in play during Lionel Messi tribute match - and gets brutally taken out
Veteran ref Hector Baldassi was tackled after playing a one-two to perfection
Lionel Messi played in a farewell match dedicated to Maxi Rodriguez - as did the referee before he was sent flying by Ever Banega.
Hector Baldassi started playing passes back to Newell's Old Boys stars against the Argentina XI - but the former Sevilla man wasn't too pleased.
Sprinting back after an attack as Baldassi ran with the ball in his bright orange shirt, the 57-year-old was sent flying by a push and body check.
He laughed while getting back to his feet while handing his yellow card to former Liverpool man Rodriguez - who booked a smiling Banega.
A fan chuckled on Twitter:
"Lol what kind of game is this, so good."
A second added:
"The most humorous football game I've ever witnessed." A third agreed:
"This game was too much fun."
Another comment said of the ref's ability with the ball:
"You can tell ref used to be a baller, the weight of pass, the constant scanning while advancing the ball."
Hector Baldassi took a tumble after getting involved in the play
Hector Baldassi took a tumble after getting involved in the play
Messi of course stole the show in the legends fixture, scoring three times before the break with the final score finishing up 7-5 to Newell's Old Boy. On his 36th birthday, Messi was cheered by fans as he prepared to join Inter Miami after leaving PSG.
Rodriguez, 42, has capped three times for Newell's Old Boys during his long professional career, having also played for Atletico Madrid and Liverpool.
Argentina's soccer player Lionel Messi (centre) celebrates after scoring during the Maximiliano Rodriguez farewell match at Marcelo Bielsa stadium in Rosario, Argentina, January 24, 2023.
Lionel Messi appeared to bid farewell to Maxi Rodriguez
More than 40,000 fans were at the Estadio Marcelo Bielsa, with Messi's free-kick picking out all 12 goals on display.
Rodriguez, who is retiring in 2021, said at the time of his decision:
"It was a very difficult decision to make, but at the same time I was very calm about it. "It's been years in my career and I think I've given it my all and I've been completely empty. I have nothing left to give."
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