'Dinner with the band:' Mauro Icardi and Co enjoy a meal in Saudi Arabia as Argentina prepare to face Brazil

  • Mauro Icardi shared a photo of himself and his Argentina team-mates in Riyadh
  • Squad were enjoying a meal together in between games against Iraq and Brazil 
  • Vibe seemed relaxed as players smiled for the camera while sat at a long table

Argentina appear to be enjoying their trip to Saudi Arabia if Mauro Icardi's latest Instagram update is anything to go by.

Icardi shared a photo of himself dining with his international team-mates in Riyadh at the weekend as they prepare to face Brazil at King Abdullah Sports City on Tuesday.

The vibe seemed relaxed as the squad, dressed in training clothes, smiled for the camera while sat at a long table outdoors.

Mauro Icardi (left) shared a photo of himself and his Argentina team-mates dining in Riyadh

Mauro Icardi (left) shared a photo of himself and his Argentina team-mates dining in Riyadh

Their visit to Saudi Arabia began well on Thursday when they beat Iraq 4-0 courtesy of goals from Lautaro Martinez, Roberto Pereyra, German Pezzella and Franco Cervi.


Lionel Messi has not travelled with the squad after making himself unavailable for selection until further notice.

Messi's family have hit back at Diego Maradona after he claimed the Barcelona forward played differently when he was representing his club and said it was a waste of time trying to turn him into a leader 'because he goes to the toilet 20 times before a match.'

Maradona, who is idolised in Argentina because of his performances for his nation, also insisted he would not call the 31-year-old up for international duty if he was made manager of the national team again.

Argentina began their trip to Saudi Arabia in style on Thursday with a 4-0 win over Iraq

Argentina began their trip to Saudi Arabia in style on Thursday with a 4-0 win over Iraq

His astonishing attack was made during an interview on Fox Sports. 'Messi's a great player, but he's not a leader,' Maradona said.

'Before talking to the coach and players, he'll play on the PlayStation. Then, on the pitch, he wants to be the leader. He's the best along with Cristiano Ronaldo but for me, it's pointless to make a leader out of a man who goes to the bathroom 20 times before a match.’

Messi's cousin Maxi Biancucchi branded Maradona, who has battled weight problems as well as addictions to drugs and alcohol, 'ignorant' over his comments.

The 34 year-old, a professional footballer with second division Paraguayan side Rubio Nu,  raged: 'It's ignorant to discredit Leo.

'It's sad to see how someone who boasts of being a leader can talk so badly about a player who's currently the best we've got and will probably be so for a long time yet.

'And he's done it at a time when he should be helping to rebuild if he loves the national side as he says he does.' 

Maradona's toilet reference was thought to be a dig at Messi's nerves before games that have seen him vomit in some important matches.

The family of Lionel Messi (pictured) have called Diego Maradona 'ignorant' after recent comments
Maradona (pictured) launched an extraordinary rant about Messi in a recent interview

The family of Lionel Messi (left) have called Diego Maradona 'ignorant' after recent comments

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