Barcelona

Lionel Messi paid Argentina's security team because the federation didn't

Published Jun. 30, 2017 6:28 p.m. ET

foxsports

Argentina’s soccer federation apparently didn’t pay team security staff for six months. So, Lionel Messi did.

AS reports that Messi opted to pay the security team out of pocket this week after the Argentina Football Association — itself in midst of a rough patch — did not.

FIFA has been operating the associated since president Luis Segura resigned in June, after an investigation that uncovered misuse of funds. Messi himself has been on shaky ground with the national team at times, retiring and quickly unretiring earlier this year, but he’s showing solidarity with the workers that help keep the players safe.

Argentina is currently fifth in CONMEBOL World Cup qualifying with 19 points.

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