Lionel Messi tells Uruguay stars to ‘learn respect’ after lewd gesture and fight
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Lionel Messi was left unimpressed with the antics of his opponents after Argentina suffered their first defeat since winning the World Cup in a fiery qualification match against Uruguay. Goals from Ronald Araujo and Liverpool striker Darwin Nunez secured an impressive 2-0 away win that moves Marcelo Bielsa’s side above Brazil in the race for World Cup 2026 qualification.
It was Argentina’s first defeat on home soil since a 1-0 reversal at the hands of Paraguay in 2016 and it came with plenty of friction between the two sets of players.
Messi was seen with his hands around the throat of the Urugauy defender Mathias Olivera at one point as the contest threatened to spiral out of control.
A clash between Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte and Atletico Madrid’s Rodrigo de Paul ended with the former performing a lewd gesture towards his opponent as tempers flared inside the cauldron of noise that is Boca Juniors’ La Bombonera Stadium.
Speaking after the match, Messi admitted that his World Cup winners had failed to find their rhythm in the match but expressed his displeasure at the antics of his opponents, in particular Ugarte.
He said: “We never felt comfortable. The loss is a good test for us. They are an intense team and it was difficult for us to play our game. They have physical and fast players in the midfield. We didn’t find a way to possess the ball for a long period of time.”
When asked about the incident with Ugarte, Messi added: “I prefer not to say what I think, but these young people have to learn to respect from their elders.”
Despite the defeat, Argentina remain top of the South American World Cup qualification group after five matches, two points clear of Uruguay. Fifth-placed Brazil will host Argentina next at the Maracana Stadium on Wednesday, November 22.
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Araujo’s opener was the first goal Argentina had conceded since the World Cup final against France – a run that has stretched for eight matches. It was also the first time that Messi has failed to score for his country since the group-stage match against Poland in Qatar.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said: “We cannot think that because we are world champions we will never lose again. We are not unbeatable. I said it before and I will continue to say it.”
Former Leeds United manager Bielsa was appointed head coach of Uruguay in May.
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