Lionel Messi hails Argentina work ethic after scoring the winner in 1-0 win over Brazil on return from three-month ban

  • Lionel Messi missed a penalty but scored the rebound as Argentina beat Brazil
  • It was Messi's first game after a three-month ban for criticising CONMEBOL
  • The 32-year-old praised Argentina's new system for helping them defensivelyĀ 

Lionel Messi praised Argentina's work ethic after scoring the winner in a 1-0 win over Brazil on his return to international football.

The 32-year-old was banned for three months by CONMEBOL after criticising the South American governing body during this summer's Copa America.

Messi vented his fury at officials after Argentina's semi-final loss to Brazil and a third-place play-off win over Chile in which he was sent off following an altercation with Gary Medel.

Lionel Messi hailed Argentina's work ethic after they beat Brazil 1-0 in Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi hailed Argentina's work ethic after they beat Brazil 1-0 in Saudi Arabia

Messi missed a penalty but tapped home the rebound on his return to international football

Messi has served a three-month ban for criticising CONMEBOL and calling them 'corrupt'

Messi has served a three-month ban for criticising CONMEBOL and calling them 'corrupt'

However, the Barcelona forward made a triumphant return as he scored the only goal of the game in an international friendly in Saudi Arabia.


'At the beginning we tried to play, we made a few mistakes and they created some chances,' Messi told the Argentinean FA's official website.

'In the second half we improved a lot.

'I think this system defensively gives us a lot. It's good that we can play in several ways.

'When you win, you work with peace of mind, it is very positive for what is coming.

'We all ran a lot - it's what we had to do.'Ā 

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