Lionel Messi’s brutal 13-word response to Brazil’s Actual Madrid star Rodrygo after he known as Argentina ‘cowards’ for sheltering within the dressing room whereas violence delayed the beginning of their World Cup qualifier

Lionel Messi exchanged savage phrases with Rodrygo after the Brazil star accused Argentina’s gamers of cowardice for retreating down the tunnel following the conflict between followers and police on the Maracana Stadium.

Rodrygo instructed Messi and Rodrigo De Paul they had been ‘cowards’ for going to the dressing room earlier than Argentina’s 1-0 World Cup qualifier win.

Messi had led his team-mates into the altering room after supporters clashed and police wielded batons in direction of Argentina followers, forcing kick-off to be delayed by half-hour.

A number of followers had been seen ripping the seats off stadium chairs and utilizing them as weapons.

Emiliano Martinez additionally leapt up in direction of the stands to slap a baton out of an officer’s arms earlier than being restrained by his teammates.

When squaring as much as Rodrygo, Messi mentioned: ‘We’re the world champions, why are we cowards? Have a look at your mouth’ – as per TyC Sports activities. 

Messi hit again, saying: We’re the world champions, why are we cowards? Have a look at your mouth’

Violence between Brazil and Argentina followers erupted through the nationwide anthems and Messi had led his team-mates inside as a consequence of security fears 

The confrontation between the 2 units of followers swiftly descended into chaos within the stands

Each the Ballon d’Or winner and teammate De Paul had been seen furiously moving into Rodrygo’s face.  

After the unique trio got here collectively, a number of different gamers from each groups joined in to ensure the dialog did not escalate additional with Messi seen wrapping a hand across the again his opponent’s neck earlier than he moved away.

Rodrygo and Rodrigo De Paul each play for Spanish golf equipment in the identical metropolis, at Actual Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively. 

Nicolas Otamendi’s second-half aim handed Brazil their first-ever house defeat in World Cup qualification on an evening when substitute Joelinton was despatched off lower than ten minutes after coming into the fray. 

Following the sport, Lionel Messi launched a scathing assault on the Brazilian police, saying: ‘We noticed how [police] had been hitting the individuals, it already occurred within the Libertadores remaining. 

‘They had been extra centered on that than on the sport.’

The Ballon d’Or winner was referring to the scenes on the Maracana earlier than Fluminense’s win over Boca Juniors earlier this month.

Law enforcement officials intervened and charged the Argentina followers, wielding batons towards them

Emiliano Martinez manhandled a police officer wielding a baton in direction of Argentina followers

Numerous supporters had been left bloodied following the incidents and wanted medical assist

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates had been escorted again to the dressing rooms as violence delayed kick-off by about half-hour

Messi mentioned Argentina had determined to return to the dressing room as they feared for his or her security

Nicolas Otamendi scored the one aim of the sport as Argentina silenced the Maracana

Argentina initially seemed to be refusing to return to the sphere for kick-off earlier than CONMEBOL gave them quarter-hour to take the sphere.

The reigning world champions insisted they might solely return to the pitch as soon as order had been restored and did so after spending over 20 minutes within the dressing room.

‘We went to the locker room as a result of it was one of the simplest ways to calm every part down, a tragedy may have occurred,’ Messi defined.

‘We’re a household. We determined to play to make scenario extra calm.’