Lionel Messi is facing allegations of influencing national team selections, with claims suggesting he attempted to block a fellow Argentine player from representing the country in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Venezuela and Ecuador this September.
Widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time, Messi’s influence within the Argentina squad is immense, so much so that some view him as an unofficial gatekeeper whose opinions can shape careers. ..Continue Reading
In the past, it was rumored that Messi’s strained relationship with former defender Nicolás Burdisso affected Burdisso’s international prospects, especially after the latter criticized Messi’s performances.
Now, a similar controversy is brewing following the Leagues Cup final between Inter Miami and the Seattle Sounders.
After Seattle’s 3-0 victory, tensions flared, leading to a heated exchange involving Messi, Pedro de la Vega, and Rodrigo De Paul.
According to former MLS striker Alan Gordon, Messi allegedly told de la Vega during the confrontation that he would never play for Argentina while Messi remained involved with the national team.
Gordon described the moment as crossing a line, suggesting Messi used his status to potentially blacklist the young winger from future call-ups.
The incident has sparked debate over the extent of Messi’s influence and whether personal disputes should ever impact national team decisions.
On the Major League Journeymen podcast, Gordon explained: “Messi told him – remember when they got into a little scuffle during the game. Messi told him to his face ‘You will never play for the national team as long as I am involved’. He basically blackballed him on the field. This happened. That is disgusting to me.”
De La Vega later addressed the incident publicly. While he didn’t disclose Messi’s words, he attempted to downplay the conflict, framing it as a typical flare-up in a competitive game while also praising his opponent and speaking of him highly as one of Argentina’s greatest ever players.
He said: “Messi and [Rodrigo] De Paul? They are the greatest. They are world champions and they are my idols. The clash was just part of the game. I tried to stay focused and not take it personally. Facing them as an Argentine carries a different kind of pressure.”
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