Tempers were flying after Lionel Messi fired Argentina to a 2-0 win over Mexico in a do-or-die clash in their Group C game at the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Argentina needed a win at any costs if they had to reignite their hopes of reaching the knockouts. However, after a drab first half, where neither of the teams opened the scoring, nor create enough threat, Messi decided to take matters into his own hands, as he does usually.
The ‘La Pulga’ fired in a shot armoured with the speed of a bullet from outside the box to give Argentina the lead just after the hour mark. Enzo Fernandez consolidated Argentina’s win, scoring another banger, a wonderful curler from inside the box to beat Mexican shot-stopper Guillermo Ochoa. With the win, the La Albiceleste kept lit-up their World Cup campaign which was dampened by the Saudi Arabia loss. However, Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez highlighted one particular incident from Argentina’s celebrations, wherein he accused and further threatened their captain Lionel Messi.
Aguero schools Alvarez over his Lionel Messi accusations
The win could be certainly labelled as one of the most important in the history of Argentine football, keeping their dream of lifting the world title after 36 years alive. Surely, the celebrations too had to match the result, as the reigning Copa America winners rocked their dressing room after the game. However, Canelo Alvarez detailed on one particular incident, where he claimed Lionel Messi disrespected the Mexico shirt and the flag.
In the video shared by Mexican fans, it can be seen Messi presumably kicking away the Mexico shirt lying on the floor with his right foot. The El Tri fans had a got at the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, amongst whom was Alvarez. The boxer went on to threaten the PSG superstar, as he wrote on Twitter:
“Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag. He better pray to God that I don’t find him. Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico!”
Se estaba quitando los zapatos pic.twitter.com/oaG1mN3Pmx
— Chris (@elmasgrande1239) November 28, 2022
However, Sergio Aguero, Messi’s former club and country teammate defended the 35-year-old, as he further bashed the boxer for his false accusations. Aguero tweeted:
“Mr. Canelo, don’t look for excuses or problems, surely you don’t know about soccer and what happens in a locker room. The shirts are always on the floor after the games are over due to sweat and then if you see well, he makes the movement to remove the booty and accidentally hits it.”
It was quite evident from the video, Messi was rather trying to get rid of his boots after a hectic 90 minutes. However, the former Barca man would have been unaware of the Mexico shirt lying on the floor. Nonetheless, Messi is man who hasn’t got a knack of indulging in such online arguments, as his history tells. Neither the Copa America champion has ever disrespected an opponent in the manner Alvarez accused him of.
Messi and his Argentine teammates will now be focusing on their penultimate group game against Poland on Thursday, where a win would send them into the knockouts as the group winners. However, a draw would mean they will have to depend on the outcome of Mexico vs Saudi Arabia, which will be played at the same time they take on Poland. But as evident from his last game, Lionel Messi has truly arrived at the World Cup and isn’t messing around now. He will once again be ready to step up for his country when they need him the most.