Injured Messi could only look on from the stands as Argentina were thrashed 6-1 by Spain at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid last night.
But Messi couldn’t even stay until the final whistle as he witnessed his floundering team-mates crumble to an embarrassing defeat just months before the World Cup.
Cameras captured the crocked captain leaving his seat as his hapless team were humiliated the rampaging Spain side.
“They’ve really given us a slap in the face,” Argentina coach Jorge Sampaoli summed up the humiliating World Cup warm-up clash.
“I feel bad for the boys, I take the responsibility. In the second half we didn’t have balance or solidity and we were all at sea.”
Argentina may have swept Italy aside 2-0 on Friday without Messi, who is sidelined with a muscle injury.
However, as the Italians failed to reach the World Cup for the first time since 1958 after a 1-0 playoff defeat by Sweden, the win may not be considered a testing encounter for Argentina.
There was no Angel di Maria or Sergio Aguero against Spain on Tuesday either and when it came to the crunch, the players wilted. Too often they rely on superstar Messi to add some inspiration.
It was Messi who fired a hat-trick in their final qualifier against Ecuador – after they went 1-0 down inside the first minute – to secure their spot at the World Cup in Russia.
Without him against top level opposition in Madrid, Argentina wilted and to describe their defending as haphazard is generous.
Sampaoli may have a squad that allows him the luxury of leaving the likes of forwards Mauro Icardi and Paulo Dybala at home but on the other hand neither of their goalkeepers – Sergio Romero and Willy Caballero – are first-team regulars for their clubs.
“Argentina is going to be living in torment from now until the World Cup,” former international Jorge Valdano said on Spanish radio station Onda Cero.
“Messi’s the only reason that anyone is even giving Argentina a sliver of hope of winning the World Cup.”
And Spain striker Diego Costa has told Argentina fans to appreciate Messi after getting a taste of life without him.
In Argentina, they love to criticize Messi a lot,” Costa told Fox Sports Argentina.
“Today, they have seen what they are without Messi. Argentina have to take care of Leo; they have to be grateful.
“If Messi wasn’t there for them, how would they get by?
