Messi Targeted by Teammate’s Promotional Stunt

In a cheeky move that is sure to ruffle some feathers, Argentina midfielder Rodrigo de Paul has taken a playful jab at his superstar teammate Lionel Messi.

During the Albiceleste’s training session, De Paul was seen prominently displaying a bottle of his own branded hydration drink, seemingly trying to draw attention away from Messi and towards his own commercial interests.

“It was a bit of harmless fun, really,” De Paul was quoted as saying with a mischievous grin. “I know Lio is the main man, but I figured I’d try to get a bit of the spotlight for myself and my drink too.”

The 29-year-old playmaker, who has forged a close relationship with Messi through their time together with the national team, insisted there was no malice behind the stunt.

“At the end of the day, we’re all mates here. I’m sure Lio didn’t mind a bit of good-natured ribbing,” he added.

However, seasoned observers of the Argentina camp noted that Messi appeared slightly bemused by his teammate’s antics, raising an eyebrow in De Paul’s direction before quickly refocusing on the training session.

This lighthearted incident is unlikely to cause any lasting rift between the two players, but it does highlight the delicate balance that must be maintained within a squad filled with world-class talents and egos. Argentina’s quest to defend their World Cup title just got a little more interesting.