LIONEL MESSI looked startled as he was mobbed by hundreds of fans when leaving a restaurant.
Amid mounting speculation regarding his future at Paris Saint-Germain, Messi has headed home for the international break.
It is the first time he has been home on Argentina duty since leading the nation to win the World Cup in Qatar in December.
And as he left a restaurant in Buenos Aires hundreds of adoring fans swarmed the 35-year-old.
Messi could be seen leaving the restaurant accompanied by bodyguards, with chefs and other restaurant patrons all gathering to try and get a glimpse of him.
As he stepped outside, the crowd became more animated.
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They could be seen visibly pushing and shoving, with one fan capturing footage of Messi's startled face as his bodyguards guided him through the crowd.
The ex-Barcelona star had cast a nervy broad smile, appearing to both enjoy the adulation he was receiving but also be scared because of it.
Fans online rushed to the comments to share their thoughts.
One fan said: "This is the face of pure joy and terror at the same time."
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A second commented: "He is national treasure."
A third added: "He is getting bullied and he is loving it 😭😭."
Argentina are in action against Panama and Curacao over the international break.
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