World Cup: Boxer Canelo Alvarez issues bizarre threat to Lionel Messi for 'kicking' Mexico jersey
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
- Oops!Something went wrong.Please try again later.
Mexico’s world champion boxer Canalo Alvarez has seemingly threatened Argentina star Lionel Messi for "disrespecting" his country's flag.
In a video posted online of the Argentinian side celebrating their first victory of the World Cup in Qatar, Messi can be seen slightly flicking what appears to be the Mexico shirt as he removes his boots.
Messi scored for Argentina in their 2-0 win over Mexico on Sunday before Alvarez took to social media to take his frustration out on the global star.
Read More: Riots after Morocco's shock victory at World Cup
"Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag," Alvarez tweeted. "He better pray to God that I don't find him.
Please change your privacy settings if the below tweet doesn't load
Canelo had some strong words for Messi after seeing his locker room celebration 👀
(via @canelo, nicolasotamendi30/IG) pic.twitter.com/emRRHK1nGO— ESPN Ringside (@ESPNRingside) November 28, 2022
"Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I'm not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls—t that Messi did."
Many social media users pointed out that Canelo was overreacting following his furious post.
“All he did was take off his shoes and it hit the Mexican shirt. Mexican fans just mad he finished their world cup dreams,” said one fan.
Another wrote: “We are just very passionate and we go out of our way for football. Messi was taking off his boots and he didn’t even realise he could have kicked his shirt!”
Defeat would have left Argentina on the brink of an early World Cup exit following their opening group stage defeat to Saudi Arabia last week.
“We needed this euphoria,” Messi said afterwards. “The days were very long, and we were eager to have the chance to turn it around. It was a critical game. [Winning] was a weight off our shoulders, and we now have peace of mind.
Read More: Laura Woods left ‘pinching herself’ over ‘weird’ Souness comments
“The first half was difficult due to the situation and the need to win. We couldn't find spaces.
“In the second half, we started playing our game and doing what we stand for. … The goal changed the game.”
Argentina next take on Poland in their last group game, while Mexico take on Saudi Arabia. Poland are top of the four-strong group on four points, with Argentina and Saudi Arabia sitting on three points.
Watch: England fan in Qatar finds eerie abandoned apartment blocks