Lionel Messi's furious argument with Rodrygo leaked after team stormed off pitch

23 November 2023 , 13:27

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Lionel Messi clashed with Brazil forward Rodrygo before kick-off (Image: CARL DE SOUZA/AFP via Getty Images)

Footage of Lionel Messi's heated exchange with Brazil star Rodrygo has emerged after the World Cup qualifier for Argentina.

Messi captained his country against Brazil at Maracena Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Tuesday night. Argentina won the game 1-0 thanks to a Nicolas Otamendi goal in the 83rd minute.

However, the game was halted before a ball had even been kicked due to issues in the stands of the stadium. Brazilian police clashed with Argentina fans which led to Messi leading his team off the field in protest. Messi is quoted as having said to the officials: "We’re leaving. We can’t play in these circumstances."

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There was a delay to kick-off before Messi and the Argentina players returned to the field. As Messi made his way back onto the pitch, he walked towards Real Madrid forward Rodrygo, who appeared to be in dispute with Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul.

Messi and Rodrygo then seemed to get involved in an animated discussion just before kick-off, with the words from both players being overheard during the live television broadcast. The game was televised on TyC Sports, and 22-year-old Rodrygo appeared to aim a dig at Messi and Argentina for walking off the pitch.

Rodrygo is reported to have said to Messi: "You are acting like cowards, don't you want to play the game?"

Messi then responded by using Argentina's recent World Cup triumph as evidence to the contrary. The Inter Miami star replied: "We are the world champions, how are we cowards? Keep your mouth, watch your mouth."

That wasn't the end of the argument, with Rodrygo then offering a warning to Messi. "Now let's look at the game, you'll see us there," said Rodrygo.

Messi concluded the exchange by saying: "Let's see, come on, come on."

Lionel Messi's furious argument with Rodrygo leaked after team stormed off pitch

Lionel Messi and Rodrygo had a heated exchange before the World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil (Buda Mendes/Getty Images)

After the game, Messi criticised the Brazilian police for their treatment of Argentina fans before kick-off. The 36-year-old went on to explain why he and his teammates decided to return to the pitch and face Brazil.

"We saw how the police were hitting people, also with some of our families here," Messi told TyC Sports. "It also happened in the [Copa] Libertadores final, again repressing the people.

"They are more focused on that than on playing the game. We are a family. We decided to play to make the situation more calm."

Messi finished his first season with Inter Miami last month and is not scheduled to return until pre-season in the New Year. The former Barcelona star signed for the Major League Soccer club as a free agent after his contract with Paris Saint-Germain expired in the summer.