Emotional Lionel Messi reacts to Argentina pal Nicolas Otamendi’s ‘more than special’ tattoo after World Cup win
LIONEL MESSI hailed a “more than special” tattoo Argentina team-mate Nicolas Otamendi has had inked to celebrate their World Cup triumph.
Lionel Scaloni’s side are still flying high after their glorious triumph in Qatar back in December.
Following a thrilling 3-3 draw with France, Argentina held their nerve in the shootout to win the World Cup for the first time since 1986.
A huge party back in the South American nation ensued for several days after they returned home with the trophy.
They returned to action last week in front of INCREDIBLE scenes at the Estadio Monumental in Buenos Aires that left Messi fighting back the tears.
The 36-year-old Paris Saint-Germain then helped fire them to a 2-0 win over Panama by scoring a free-kick.
He then followed that up with a hat-trick in Wednesday’s 7-0 thrashing of Curacao.
Meanwhile, defender Otamendi also played a key role as part of Scaloni’s backline at the World Cup and played every minute at the tournament.
The 35-year-old recently shared a clip of himself receiving his latest tattoos on Instagram.
And one of his inkworks was of Messi with his hand over the World Cup trophy and another of him doing his iconic celebration.
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It did not take long for the legend to see his international colleagues’ grand gesture.
And on Instagram Stories he replied to the ex-Manchester City ace’s tribute.
Messi wrote: “I saw a lot of spectacular things that were done to because of the World Cup, but that a colleague, a friend like Otamendi getting this tattoo is something more than special!!! Thank you very much Ota!”