Lionel Messi had a strong retort for Brazilian star Rodrygo after he labeled the Argentine legend a “coward.” The clash between South America’s top footballing nations on Tuesday (November 21) was marred by tension, with disturbances in the stands causing a delay in kickoff. Brazilian police clashed with Argentine supporters.
Emi Martinez attempted to intervene, trying to take a baton from an officer, prompting Captain Messi to lead his team off the pitch to the Maracana dressing room in protest. Upon their return, Rodrygo and Rodrigo De Paul confronted each other.
According to TyC Sports, the 22-year-old Real Madrid winger was accusing 29-year-old Atletico Madrid midfielder De Paul and his Argentine teammates of cowardice for their actions.
Messi, 36, swiftly approached Rodrygo and reportedly retorted, “We are world champions, why would we be cowards? Mind what you say.”
Once the match commenced, the reigning world champions secured victory thanks to Nicolas Otamendi’s second-half header. Joelinton was sent off nine minutes from time for the hosts, marking their first loss in a home World Cup qualifier.
Following the game, Messi expressed his fear of a potential tragedy in the away section before kickoff, where players’ friends and family were present.
“It was bad because we saw how they were beating people,” Messi said. “The police, as happened in the Libertadores final, were once again repressing the people with night sticks.”
“We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, it could have ended in tragedy.”
“You think about the families, the people who are there, who don’t know what’s going on and we were more concerned about that than playing a match that, at that point, was of secondary importance.”
Brazil captain Marquinhos, who attempted to help calm the Argentine players, added, “We were worried about the families, women and children, that we were seeing in panic up there in the stands.”
“Down on the pitch it was hard for us to understand what was going on, it was a very scary situation.”
Lionel Messi
Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini
This season he played in total 6 times for 372 minutes for Major League Soccer.
Lionel Messi scored 1 goal for Inter Miami. He procured two assists. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 14th in Major League Soccer. In the last match Inter Miami lost 1-0 against Charlotte.
Inter Miami performance and stats
Inter Miami is currently 14th in the Major League Soccer with 34 points.
In the last 34 games, it has won 9 times, drawn 7 times, and lost 18 times. In its last match, Inter Miami lost 1-0 against Charlotte.
It has a negative goal difference after scoring 41 goals and conceding 54.
Rodrygo
Rodrygo Silva de Goes
This season he played in total 13 times for 891 minutes for La Liga.
Rodrygo scored 3 goals for Real Madrid. He procured 3 assists. He received no yellow cards and no red cards.
His team is currently 2nd in La Liga. In the last match Real Madrid won 5-1 against Valencia.
Real Madrid performance and stats
Real Madrid is currently 2nd in the La Liga with 32 points.
In the last 13 games, it has won 10 times, drawn twice, and lost once. In its last match, Real Madrid won 5-1 against Valencia.
It has a positive goal difference after scoring 28 goals and conceding 9.