Lionel Messi confronted Brazil winger Rodrygo after he accused Argentina of being ‘cowards’ for leaving the field in response to their supporters facing police attacks on Tuesday night.
Disturbing scenes unfolded at the Maracana before the World Cup qualifier began, as police clashed with visiting fans during the Brazilian national anthem.
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Numerous fans suffered injuries, prompting Argentina players, including goalkeeper Emi Martinez, to intervene.
Eventually, Messi made the decision to guide his team off the pitch and back to the dressing room.
As he left the field, the Inter Miami superstar could be seen telling officials: ‘We’re leaving. We can’t play in these circumstances.’
Following a prolonged delay, Argentina’s players returned, but the intense atmosphere had transferred onto the pitch. Real Madrid’s Rodrygo engaged in a dispute with Atletico’s Rodrigo De Paul regarding the decision to go back to the dressing room.
Messi stepped in, but tensions heightened, with reports from Argentine broadcaster TyC Sports suggesting Rodrygo labeled the Argentina team as ‘cowards’.
CLIMA CALIENTE: Messi y Rodrygo, cara a cara en el Maracaná antes del arranque del encuentro. #EliminatoriasEnTyCSports pic.twitter.com/vV3FNGXrnJ
— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) November 22, 2023
The Inter Miami playmaker grabbed Rodrygo round the back of the neck and exchanged angry words, saying: ‘We are the world champions! Why are we cowards? Watch your mouth.’
As Messi moved to leave, Rodrygo attempted to prolong the argument but was steered away by De Paul.
Tottenham’s Cristian Romero, Giovani Lo Celso, and Emerson Royal played the role of peacemakers, involving themselves along with other players and staff.
The ensuing match was intense, featuring Nicolas Otamendi scoring the sole goal and Joelinton being sent off for an altercation with De Paul.
Remarkably, Argentina’s 1-0 victory marked Brazil’s first-ever loss in a World Cup qualifier at home, and it extended Brazil’s losing streak to three, placing them in sixth position on the table, eight points behind leaders Argentina.
Speaking about the unsavoury scenes in the stands and the decision to leave the field, Messi told reporters: ‘We saw how the police were hitting people, also with some of our families here too.
‘It also happened already in the Libertadores final here too [between Argentine side Boca Juniors and Brazilian side Fluminense]. They are more focused on that than on playing the game.
‘We are a family. We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened today.’
