Lionel Messi’s early departure from Russia wasn’t spontaneous and was actually approved by both the Argentine coaching staff and by the World Cup organizing committee, the Russian Federal News Agency (FAN) reports.
According to the FAN, Messi and his teammate Javier Mascherano left for the airport early on Sunday, while the rest of the team was scheduled to depart in the evening, because the duo was travelling to Europe instead of South America like the rest of the team.
Messi’s departure saddened many social media users. Some lamented about Portuguese football star Cristiano Ronaldo leaving Russia after losing to Uruguay.
It turns out that for some, Messi’s departure was a cause for celebration.