Canelo Alvarez, a boxer from Mexico, has criticized Lionel Messi of Argentina for disrespecting Mexico. Canelo, who has won world championships in four weight classes in his career, tweeted that he thought Messi’s actions were deliberate.
“Did you see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag????
“He better pray to God that I don’t find him!! Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico!
“I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls— that Messi did.”
Following Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Mexico on Saturday in the World Cup in Qatar, a video captured Messi and his teammates celebrating in the changing room.
The Argentina captain appeared to kick a Mexico shirt that was on the ground as Messi chanted and removed his boots.
However, a lot of international fans were quick to point out that Messi was only taking off his boots when he touched the Mexican jersey by accident.
— Canelo Alvarez (@Canelo) on November 28, 2022.
Other people advised Canelo not to promote violence or misinterpret information.
Canelo added to his defense of his claim:
“From the moment the Mexico jersey is on the floor it’s already an insult,” to which former Argentina striker Sergio Aguero responded.
“Mr. Canelo, don’t look for excuses or problems, surely you don’t know about soccer and what happens in a locker room,” Aguero said on Twitter.
“The jerseys are always on the floor after games due to sweat and then if you see well, he makes the movement to remove the boot and accidentally hits it.”
Saturday’s victory, courtesy of goals from Messi and Enzo Fernandez, kept Argentina’s World Cup hopes alive after their 2-1 shock defeat to Saudi Arabia in their group opener.
The Albiceleste take on Group C leaders Poland in their final group game on Wednesday, while Mexico, at the bottom of the group, need a win against Saudi Arabia to have any chance of progressing.
