ARGENTINA assistant manager Pablo Aimar burst into tears when Lionel Messi scored his sensational opener against Mexico yesterday.
The Albiceleste went into the match under huge pressure, knowing that defeat would result in an early exit.
Lionel Scaloni’s side produced an underwhelming first-half performance, going in at the break level at 0-0.
So when Messi swept home a brilliant strike from range on 64 minutes, the relief was too much for some to bear.
Aimar, 43, was an international team-mate of Messi’s between 2005 and 2009.
He now works as Scaloni’s assistant manager.
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When Messi scored, Scaloni delivered an animated speech to his No2 in the dugout.
Aimar sat there panting, the emotion etched all over his face.
Fans online noticed Aimar’s passionate response.
One wrote: “Same, Pablito.”
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A second tweeted: “Very few understand the amount of pressure Argentina team were in last night.
“I can only imagine how the players must have felt before the game.”
Another added: “For the youngins that don’t know thats not just coach Aimar.
“That’s Messi’s childhood idol and good friend. A freak talent when coming up in his own right.”
Things got even better for Argentina, when Enzo Fernandez brilliantly doubled their lead late on.
The 2-0 triumph means that a win over Poland in their final group match will likely see them top Group C, despite having lost to Saudi Arabia in their first game.
