Lionel Messi under fire after 'disrespectful' act comes to light
Lionel Messi has come under fire for appearing to unwittingly 'kick' a Mexican jersey during Argentina's celebrations after their 2-0 victory at the World Cup in Qatar. Argentina revived their World Cup campaign after a Messi wonder goal and an Enzo Fernandez strike helped their nation to a much-needed victory against Mexico in Group C.
'SAD TO SEE': Staggering World Cup upset sparks 'disgusting' scenes
HUGE: NSW government's major announcement before Socceroos game
'VERY OBVIOUS': China accused of shock act during Socceroos game
Messi's opening goal from outside the box left the football world entranced and the team celebrated with song and dance back in the dressing room. After the match, footage from teammate Nicolas Otamendi shared on social media showed Messi jumping up and down in celebration.
However, Messi appears to move a Mexican jersey - which he clearly received as memorabilia from a player - with his feet as he celebrates with teammates. Messi appears to be moving the jersey out of the way so he doesn't step on it with his boot.
However, the unwitting act sparked outrage on social media. One of Mexico's most famous athletes, boxer Canelo Alvarez, let rip at Messi in a social media post. The super middleweight champion claimed Messi was 'cleaning the floor' with the Mexican jersey.
"Saw Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag? He should ask God that I don't find him," Canelo wrote on social media.
The act sparked a fierce debate on social media. Many defended Messi and said there was no 'disrespect' intended in the act. Others claimed the jersey of a rival nation shouldn't be on the floor in the first place.
I’m fr trynna see the video where Messi wipes the floor with the Mexican flag cause Canelo saw something else lmao
— 𝔸𝕝𝕖𝕤𝕤𝕒𝕟𝕕𝕣𝕠 (@Angel_A_Soto23) November 28, 2022
Canelo got every Mexican all worked up saying that Messi was cleaning the floor with a Mexican flag. It’s looks like it was a jersey (probably from a jersey exchange) and he barely touched it with his foot while taking off his cleats. https://t.co/P4XPW96thP
— Mark ♉️ (@Truth06) November 28, 2022
Canelo calling out Messi and ready to beat his ass for disrespecting the Mexican Flag. https://t.co/znazEbSNGB
— Memo Torres 🌮 (@el_tragon_de_LA) November 28, 2022
It looks like Messi apparently kicked a Mexican jersey but we still don’t know if it was intentional or not. https://t.co/FkDrbDCA8h
— Katie (@katie7268495) November 28, 2022
Leo Messi kicking and then standing on the Mexican flag in dressing room 😳
Imagine the media reaction on this if this was Ronaldo ☠️ pic.twitter.com/oXqKoKkyT7— Murtaza (@MurtazaBall) November 27, 2022
I’m no way Messi disrespected Mexico; he went to kick his leg out to take his boots off. Canelo is just hurt his country lost pic.twitter.com/NQzjHRqSCn
— 𝐒 𝐄 𝐑 𝐆 𝐈 🇺🇸 🇦🇷 🇩🇪 (@KimmichRole) November 28, 2022
Messi doing that to the #Mexican flag or jersey is disrespectful and I would imagine that an athlete would know that this would cause reactions because it’s disrespectful and ugly.
— alfonsoG (@ponchinbonito) November 28, 2022
I get that messi didn’t intentionally kick the mexico jersey but what’s it doing on the floor in the first place? There’s no other jersey on the floor except the mexico one. Mad disrespectful 🤮
— Liluzibert🦇 (@albertt_v) November 28, 2022
Regardless of the incident, Messi and Argentina will now face Poland in their final group stage game and will need a result to advance through to the knockout stages.
Lionel Messi magic leaves Mexico reeling
After Argentina's stunning 2-1 defeat to Saudi Arabia in the first match, Messi helped lead his team back into contention for the knockout stages. The PSG forward picked up the ball at the top of the box in the 64th minute and delivered a sizzling shot across goal to give his nation the lead.
To finish of the victory, Fernandez scored a curling effort to send the Argentinian fans wild.Argentina will still need a win against a Robert Lewandowlski led Poland outfit to secure passage to the knockout stages.
Mexico will take on Saudi Arabia in the other Group C match with all teams capable of qualifying.
Click here to sign up to our newsletter for all the latest and breaking stories from Australia and around the world.
