Lionel Messi has hailed Enzo Fernandez after the Liverpool target scored a stunning goal in Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup win over Mexico.
Argentina simply had to win as they faced Mexico just days after their humiliating 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia.
A rather drab encounter needed a hero and Argentina have a player who was born to be a hero in Messi.
The Paris Saint-Germain star fired Argentina in front before he then set up Fernandez to curl home number two in the dying seconds.
Lionel Messi has hailed Enzo Fernandez
A couple of stepovers and a shift onto his right foot was all Fernandez needed to make Mexico pay.
The Benfica star the curled a beauty into the top corner; it has to be a pretty good strike to beat Guillermo Ochoa in a World Cup game.
Fernandez came off the bench in the second half with Lionel Scaloni seeking a spark in midfield.
The 21-year-old has now staked his claim for a starting spot in Argentina’s final game against Poland – a game in which they still need a result to get through.
Fernandez looks like becoming an absolute superstar and the signs have been there in his early stages at Benfica.
Fernandez joined Benfica from River Plate over the summer and has already bagged three goals and five assists in 24 games.
Sky Sports reported late in August that Liverpool are keeping close tabs on Fernandez as they consider a move in 2023.
Liverpool want Jude Bellingham next summer but that deal will be difficult and the Reds need to have alternative targets in mind.
Fernandez appears to be one of them and Saturday’s stunner against Mexico showed exactly why they’re interested.
Messi was full of praise for Fernandez at the end of the game, telling Ole that the goal didn’t surprise him at all because he knows how good Fernandez can be at his best.
Messi noted that Fernandez is a ‘spectacular’ player and deserves his big moment at the World Cup having become ‘important’ for Argentina.
“Enzo does not surprise me, I know him, I see him train every day, I played against him in the Champions League and he deserves it,” said Messi. “He is a spectacular boy and a very important player for us. Happy for him and for us that he gave us peace of mind his goal,” he added.
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