What Lionel Messi said to James Rodriguez in angry on-pitch confrontation
Lionel Messi was involved in an angry confrontation with James Rodriguez during Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Colombia on Tuesday night, with the game ultimately ending in a draw
Lionel Messi angrily clashed with James Rodriguez during Argentina's World Cup qualifier against Colombia on Tuesday night. Messi captained La Albiceleste at the Estadio Mâs Monumental.
Lionel Scaloni's side have already booked their place in next summer's tournament and sit top of the South America qualifying group by 10 points. They hosted sixth-place Colombia, in a rematch of last year's Copa America final.
Argentina won that game, held at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami, thanks to Lautaro Martinez's extra-time goal. Rodriguez was captain of Colombia that night, while Argentina skipper Messi was forced off through injury with 24 minutes of normal time to play.
Back in March, Rodriguez claimed that Colombia did not win due to 'external factors'. The former Real Madrid star hit out at the refereeing team for their performance during the final.
'Yes, we had an excellent Copa," he said. "Personally, it was spectacular. We wanted the title and came close, but due to external factors, we couldn't be champions of the Americas. The referee didn't award two penalties, and for me, one of them was clear.
"VAR audio recordings were shown in every match, but not in the final; something strange happened there. We were on the side of the draw that included Brazil, Uruguay, and the strong opponents, and they were on the side where their opponents were weaker.
"They've won everything. I'm not saying they're a team that doesn't deserve to win because if they were champions, it's because they deserved it, but it's true that these external factors influenced us and held us back.'
Four months later and it appears those comments did not go down well with Messi and the Argentina squad. During Tuesday's game, Rodriguez became involved in a confrontation with a number of Argentina players, with Messi heading over to push him away.
As he did so, the duo could be seen talking to each in an animated fashion. They continued their discussion with their hands covering their mouths, with Rodriguez caught by surprise by a comment from Messi.
According to TyC Sports, Messi approached Rodriguez to say: "You said they helped us in the final. You talk a lot." Rodriguez responded by insisting: "I didn't say anything."
After the game, Rodriguez refused to discuss the interaction, saying: "What stays on the field, stays on the field." Messi was substituted with 12 minutes to go as his side fought back from a goal down to secure a draw, with boss Scaloni admitting he had not been planning to take off the superstar.
"In principle, he wasn't going to come off, but when he saw that we were making two substitutions, he told me that it was better for him to come off, and I took him off, otherwise he wouldn't have come off," Scaloni said.
"You know how it works and what I think. I think the best thing about the team is their constant desire to try, which is always valuable."
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