Lionel Messi: Rodrigo De Paul protected Argentine from Honduras players at full-time

Lionel Messi was the star of the show as Argentina beat Honduras 3-0 in a friendly in Miami.

Messi played a role in all three goals – including scoring twice.

His gorgeous pass to Giovani Lo Celso led to a penalty, which the Paris Saint-Germain star calmly slotted home.

Then, in the second half, his outrageous chip made it 3-0.

What a performance from Messi.

READ MORE: Lionel Messi scores outrageous chip during incredible Argentina performance

The Honduran players certainly didn’t take it easy on the Paris Saint-Germain star, though.

Messi was on the receiving end of a harsh shoulder to the face from Deiby Flores – something that left his Argentine teammates fuming.

The confrontation was led by Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo De Paul, who has formed a strong relationship with Messi in recent months.

And that relationship was seen once again at full time.

After the match, many Honduras players and staff lined up to get pictures with the six-time Ballon d’Or winner. But De Paul had Messi’s best interests in his mind.

As one Honduras staff member grabbed Messi’s arm in the hope of a picture, De Paul reacted by releasing Messi’s arm from his grip.

The way De Paul defends Messi