ARGENTINA hero Lionel Messi left fans worrying he was injured before clearly showing he was only joking.
The clip has gone viral on social media amassing nearly one million views leaving supporters with their hearts in their mouth for a split second.
The video shows Messi limping holding his hamstring before laughing alongside Rodrigo De Paul as they shared banter about being hurt.
It is a major relief for fans of Argentina with their first match of the World Cup against Saudi Arabia just a week away.
Many were left concerned by Messi’s training ground antics, one commented online: “Don’t joke with that one.”
Another said: “Loool fully trolling us.”
One wrote: “I nearly got a heart attack.”
More reacted: “Don’t do this again Messi.”
The 35-year-old is expected to lead his team out in Qatar as they hope to go one better than they did in 2014 when they lost the final to Germany.
Argentina are some people’s tip to win the tournament after Copa America success last year – they have a favourable draw that puts them in a group with Poland, Mexico and Saudi Arabia.
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However the Paris Saint-Germain star sees England as one of the team’s more likely to lift the famous trophy in December.
Messi said to CONMEBOL: “The candidates are always the same. There are a few surprises but in general, the big teams are the candidates.
“Above the rest? Brazil, France, England. Today, they are a little above the rest but anything can happen.”
Messi could play his 1,000th career match in Qatar.
