Featured Image Credit: X/@ESnomanu & FIFA
Topics: Lionel Messi, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain
Josh Lawless
Topics: Lionel Messi, FIFA Club World Cup, Inter Miami, Paris Saint-Germain
Lionel Messi has been slammed by a portion of fans online who accused him of throwing a punch at an opponent during Inter Miami's Club World Cup loss to Paris Saint-Germain.
Messi led to the Herons to the knockout stages of the revamped competition after they collected five points from three games and beat Portuguese side Porto.
They were on course to top Group A but a late collapse against Palmeiras resulted in a 2-2 draw which meant Messi came up against his former side PSG in the round of 16.
Fresh from winning the Champions League for the first time following a 5-0 blitzing of Inter Milan, Luis Enrique's men dismantled the MLS side 4-0 - with Joao Neves bagging a brace as PSG scored four in the first half.
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Eight-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi still had plenty of magical moments in the clash at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium but some supporters claim he lashed out at one point.
At one point the 38-year-old was chasing down PSG star Vitinha but struggled to get the ball off the midfield metronome.
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Messi had his hands on the former Wolves man and then as the ball was played, looked to raise his arm.
Although he did not connect, plenty of fans slammed the Argentine icon on social media.
One user on X wrote: "What the hell is Messi doing throwing a punch at Vitinha. This guy doesn't know how to lose, what a bad sport."
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Another followed up, commenting: "How can you be one of the greatest and be such a sore loser."
A third said: "What disgusting behavior."
A fourth person blasted: "Once again, here you have the spoiled child."
There was no bad blood between Messi and Vitinha after the game as they were seen embracing at the final whistle. The Barcelona legend was seen swapping shirts with Achraf Hakimi but also gave his full kit to former colleague Ousmane Dembele and also briefly caught up with Enrique, Presnel Kimpembe and Gianluigi Donnarumma in the tunnel afterwards.
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Sharing a snap where he was holding Messi's shirt and the World Cup winner was wearing his PSG jersey, Ballon d'Or contender Dembele paid tribute to Messi.
He wrote: "It's so good to see you again. @leomessi, the best of all time… I hope you continue making history with him @intermiamicf as in this Club World Cup."
Messi and Inter will now return to MLS action as they are slated to take on Montreal Impact at Saputo Stadium on Sunday.