Franco Mastantuono fulfilled a childhood dream. Barely 18 years old and born in Azul, he started for Argentina in the match against Venezuela and spent over an hour on the pitch alongside his idol, Leo Messi.

Asked in the mixed zone about the situation in which Mastantuono decided to shoot instead of passing to Leo, who was in a better position, the Real Madrid player explained: “He wanted to kill me, but he understood. I apologized to him for that play,” he admitted, adding that the Rosario-born star forgave him right away, although he didn’t avoid a scolding.

That was the only “minus” on what was otherwise a dream-like day for Mastantuono. “Playing with him was incredible. It was the dream of my life. And to do it at River’s stadium—it was unbelievable.” In the mixed zone he was also asked about his tattoo of the date when Argentina won their third World Cup in Qatar—a trophy he wasn’t part of winning, but had tattooed in honor of his idol. “I’ve always said it, he’s been my idol since childhood. I’ve followed his whole career, and to see him play the way he did today…” he emphasized.

“He deserved it,” he said about the farewell that Argentina prepared for Messi on the occasion of his last match on Argentine soil in these qualifiers. The culmination, if nothing gets in the way, will be next year’s World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico—where Mastantuono aims to defend the title alongside his idol.

Mastantuono had warm words for Messi, and Scaloni responded with praise for Franco himself. At the press conference, the national team coach gave a high assessment of his performance and stated that his play for the national team will only get better as his teammates learn more about his style.

“He’s 18 years old and played a very good game. He could have played much better, much better, if the team knew how well he plays. This is his first or second match with us. He’s going to be an exceptional player. Both he and Nico Paz will contribute a lot. For me, it’s new to have him in the squad. I haven’t worked with him much, and I’m gradually learning where he fits best. Probably more centrally, not so wide. Today he made the effort to play wider than usual. We must remember what it means for an 18-year-old to be in the Argentina national team, with all the emotions today’s match carried. He showed character, but he’s 18, and our job is to bring him in gradually, just as we are doing now,” he explained.