DOHA, Qatar — In one corner, Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez. In the other corner, Lionel Messi.
The Argentina player may have landed in trouble with the wrong person when he moved the Mexican national team shirt with his foot while celebrating his country’s crucial 2-0 2022 World Cup victory against Mexico on Saturday.
The Mexican boxer tweeted that Messi was “sweeping the floor” while wearing the Mexican jersey. According to him, the Argentine athlete’s behavior was insulting toward the Mexicans.
Canelo tweeted, “He better beg God not to run into me.”
Canelo Alvarez, world champion boxer, threatens Lionel Messi after a video shows the Argentine captain ‘kicking’ a Mexico shirt.
Canelo Alvarez has issued a warning against Lionel Messi after accusing him of insulting his nation’s flag. pic.twitter.com/01z1RhMgs9
— BB Buzz (@thebbbuzz) November 28, 2022
Lionel Messi during Argentina’s World Cup victory against Mexico.
VCG Images via Getty
Messi was removing his right sneaker when, presumably unintentionally, he shifted the Mexico jersey he had exchanged with a Mexican player following Argentina’s victory. The garment was on the floor in the changing room while the Argentines celebrated. Messi scored the game’s opening goal for Argentina.
Sergio “Kun” Aguero, a former forward for Argentina, rushed to Messi’s defense.
“Mr. Canelo, don’t go making excuses or stirring up issues; you definitely don’t understand soccer or locker room dynamics,” he tweeted. The sweaty clothes are constantly on the floor following a match.
New York Post coverage of the whole 2022 World Cup tournament.
Messi was also supported by former Spain player Cesc Fabregas, who stated that it is usual for players to leave their jerseys on the ground prior to washing them.
Messi, 35 years old, is attempting to win his first World Cup championship with Argentina. The victory over Mexico maintained Argentina’s chances of advancing to the knockout stage.
The battle between Canelo Alvarez and Gennady Golovkin on September 17, 2022.
Images from Getty for Hennessy USA
Messi is in the Argentina locker room.
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Argentina, which was defeated by Saudi Arabia in its first World Cup match, will face Poland on Wednesday.