A furious Mexico politician is attempting to have Lionel Messi barred from entering the country and has officially tabled a motion against the Argentina captain.
Argentina bounced back from a stunning upset against Saudi Arabia in their Group C opener to defeat Mexico 2-0 at the World Cup in Qatar.
Messi broke the deadlock in the second half with a sensational low-powered finish from outside the box, with Mexico shot-stopper Guillermo Ochoa left helpless.
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The Paris Saint-Germain superstar then set up Enzo Fernandez for Argentina’s second, with the Benfica player firing in a fantastic curling shot into the top corner.
Messi was spotted swapping shirts with Mexico captain Andres Guardado after his side’s crucial 2-0 win at the Lusail Stadium.
Joyous Argentina players celebrated in the dressing room after their emphatic win, but the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner was placed at the centre of controversy.
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Messi appeared to flick a Mexico shirt, which was on the locker room floor, with his foot while he was removing his boot.
The Argentina star sparked backlash from furious Mexicans over his actions, including boxing superstar Canelo Alvarez sending Messi a threat.
Mexican politician Maria Clemente Garcia Moreno is among those who were disgusted by Argentina skipper Messi over his “lack of respect towards Mexico” at the World Cup.
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The 37-year-old influential transgender campaigner has called for a ‘persona non grata’ against Messi in a bid to prevent him from entering Mexico.
“The Chamber of Deputies of the Honorable Congress of the Union respectfully urges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to issue the corresponding Declaration in order to declare persona non grata within of the territory of the United Mexican States to the citizen of Argentine and Spanish nationality, Lionel Andres Messi Cuccitini, due to his manifest contempt and lack of respect towards Mexico during the World Cup of the International Federation of Association Football (FIFA) on Saturday, November 26, 2022,” the document reads.
Messi’s former Argentina teammate Sergio Aguero staunchly defended him and called out Canelo for his threatening message to the Barcelona legend.
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Canelo has since apologised to Messi after realising he was duped by a fake Instagram post, which featured a picture of the Mexico shirt being used to clean the floor.
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When asked about Canelo’s surprising threat, Messi said: “Anyone who knows me knows that I never disrespect anyone.
“I don’t have to apologise because I did not disrespect the Mexico shirt or anyone.”
Topics: Lionel Messi, Argentina, Football, Football World Cup
Adnan Riaz