Lionel Messi recently opened up about a dust-up with Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez during the 2022 World Cup. The controversy boiled over from a video that seemed to show Messi disrespecting the Mexican national team's jersey, which drew a heated response from Canelo on social media.
Messi tackled the issue head-on while chatting on Nahuel Guzman's podcast "Miro de Atras". He explained, "That's where the Mexicans' anger with me starts and the truth is that it has nothing to do with it. It's a normal situation of any match, any dressing room after a match of any kind." Messi emphasized that anyone familiar with post-game routines would understand it wasn't personal.
The misunderstanding began when a clip showed Messi appearing to kick away Mexico's jersey after Argentina's victory. Messi clarified during the podcast, saying, "You take off your shirt and put it there because it's all sweaty, just like yours. I take mine off too and put it there; it's the most normal thing." He believed too much was made out of such an innocent act.
Meanwhile, Canelo didn't hold back his feelings on 'X', formerly Twitter. The boxing champion let out his frustration via a series of tweets aimed at Messi. Yet amidst the tense exchange, Nahuel Guzman noted that some lingering tension might originate from past World Cup clashes between Mexico and Argentina.
Despite the uproar at the time, Messi approached his reflection on the incident with calmness and poise. He demonstrated how his reputation surpasses such misunderstandings. The entire scenario served as a reminder of how easily passions can flare in sports—often over simple gestures misinterpreted by passionate fans and players alike.
