Alejandro Garnacho came off the bench to make his debut for Argentina in an international friendly victory over Australia.
Alejandro Garnacho played the final 16 minutes, with Lionel Messi and German Pezzella on the scoresheet for the World Cup winners in a 2-0 win.
The 18-year-old shared the pitch with Messi when he came on, and wrote on Instagram after his debut: “If this is just a dream never wake me up. Beautiful.”
While his actual contribution on the pitch was a low-key one, it was a big step forward in the teenager’s career which he will remember forever.
READ: Sheikh Jassim takeover bid: Everything on offer
Lionel Scaloni and Emiliano Martinez on Alejandro Garnacho
Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni said everything was going to plan, with Garnacho getting crucial minutes under his belt.
He told Infobae: “You have to go step by step, we gave him minutes, we don’t have to rush. The idea is to give minutes to all the boys and for them to get used to it.”
Aston Villa goalkeeper and World Cup winner Emiliano Martinez was more effusive in his praise.
He told MDZ that he admired Garnacho and his approach: “The truth is that he is a very humble boy.
“He came, he works, he doesn’t talk much, he comes in with a lot of desire to play. He’s a little star, hopefully we’ll help mold him”
Argentine press react to Alejandro Garnacho performance
There was a largely positive response in Argentina to the first glimpse of Alejandro Garnacho wearing the famous blue and white shirt.
Outlet Pagina12 wrote: “Despite the nerves of the first time, the young man was active during the 16 minutes that he remained on the pitch.”
Another report from Ole observed: “Express combination with Lionel Messi was the indentation and capital letter of a story that has just begun and that, at least in the prologue, invites you to sit down and enjoy the new post-World Cup era.”
The newspaper added: “Loose, daring, without showing the logical nerves of an 18-year-old boy who faces such a debut.”
ESPN felt there was little to shout about, but that wasn’t the point. They wrote: “He barely participated in 16 minutes, but they were very symbolic.”
Garnacho hopes to get more minutes next week when Argentina take on Indonesia in their second and final match of the June internationals.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
