Last night, during Argentina’s game against Ecuador, LIONEL MESSI was pushed to the ground by a member of his OWN TEAM.

The shoulder of teammate Lautaro Martinez was met with by the Argentine captain as he made a dash toward the penalty area.

Lionel Messi collided with Lautaro Martinez after making a run into the boxCredit: TyC Sports

Messi was not badly hurt however, and went on to score the winner with a brilliant free-kickCredit: TyC Sports

Despite his fine form for Inter Milan, Martinez has struggled to replicate his club performances in an Argentina shirt.

One fan said: “Sums up his match.” Alongside a crying emoji.

Another wrote: “Lautraro in an Argentina shirt in recent years.” Which was accompanied by a picture of a stressed out looking Gonzalo Higuain.

A third wrote: “Someone check Martinez’s passport, he is not Argentinian.”

While a fourth added: “Thank God de Paul was not around Messi, that would have been the last time we see Lautaro Martinez on football pitch.” – Which referenced Rodrigo de Paul’s reputation for being Messi’s on-field bodyguard.

Argentina prevailed 1-0 in the tightly contested match thanks to a fantastic free kick from Messi in the 78th minute.

The current tendency of Messi to convert vital free kicks for his new team Inter Miami has increased their notoriety.

Messi has 11 goals and five assists in just 11 games since joining Miami, which follows a difficult stretch at PSG. He also seems to be back to enjoying his sport.

There were reports that Messi would leave the national team after his World Cup triumph in Qatar, but as of right now, it appears that he will play on at least through the 2004 Copa America.

His goal against Ecuador helped Argentina come closer to qualifying for the 2006 World Cup in North America, and there is growing hope that Messi will take part in this competition as well.

Argentina’s FA president Claudio Tapa reiterated Argentina’s hopes for Messi to represent his nation at the 2006 World Cup in a pregame interview.

He said: “He always goes for more. He never leaves you. He always surprises you, he goes for more. You can imagine it. How can I not imagine it? I would like him to be there. With the conditions he has, he could easily play in the 06 World Cup.

“Modric does it for his team, [Andres] Iniesta did it for Barcelona. It depends on him, on what he feels. I see him playing in the World Cup, playing in the position he wants. He can really do it. It will depend on what he wants. I dream about that.”