Juventus forwardPaulo Dybala has revealed how Lionel Messi's words of consolation helped him after he was sent off against Uruguay in Argentina's World Cup qualifier onThursday.
Messi, whoreceived a red-card on his debut for Argentina back in 2005, was quick to comfort Dybala after the 22-year-old saw red, and the Juventus striker has revealed how Messi's words helped him get past a 'bad day'.
"Now I am calm, but Thursday was bad."Dybala explained to Ole,as quoted in Sport.
"It was an ugly moment, because it was a special day and it didn't go how I hoped. I was left with a sensation in the chest that I've never had before.
"Or actually, once. With Instituto, when we could not go up in 2012. But this time it was stronger than me. Because I don't cry. At home nobody's seen me cry. And now the whole country has. And the world.
Mascherano urges Dybala to follow Messi's act following debut red for Argentina https://t.co/R6KY7UVXu7 pic.twitter.com/X0esQJa9sD
"Leo Messi told me to be calm, that these things happen, that it was not my fault but the referee's. I felt good, comfortable playing with Messi.
"We had spoken in training about how I was going to play, depending where Leo was positioned, I would change with him. If he was in the middle, I'd go wide. I'd never played with Messi. My dream was to do that, and I did.
Dybala: "After my red card, Messi told me to be calm, that these things happen, that it was not my fault but the referee's." [ole]
"I enjoyed it until the referee sent me off. I tried to help because he is the leader of the team. It's incredible to play by his side."
Argentina went on to win the game 1-0, with thanks to a terrific goal from Lionel Messi, who dribbled his way through a number of Uruguayan defenders before calmly finishing to the goalkeeper's right.