Lionel Messi has finally opened up about the horrific incidents that took place on November 21, 2023, during Argentina’s clash against Brazil. In the ongoing World Cup qualifiers, it was a clash of the two South American juggernauts. Almost every soccer fan expected it to be an intense match. However, the scenes before the kick-off were more violent and graphic than anyone had expected.
Lionel Messi‘s Argentina was all set to face Brazil at the iconic Maracana Stadium. However, just minutes after the two teams came out of the tunnel, there appeared to be some commotion in the stands. A second look revealed that the Argentine fans who had come to watch the match were being targeted by the authorities. The Brazilian police were hitting the Argentine fans with batons, as well as their hands and legs.
🚨 Leo Messi: “We saw how they were hitting the people, it already happened in the Libertadores final. They were more focused on that than on the game. We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened.”
“This group… pic.twitter.com/kTc6zAcZNc
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) November 22, 2023
After watching the situation, Lionel Messi and his men even went to the fans and tried to calm them. However, moments later, Messi was spotted walking away from the fans and instructing something to his teammates. The Argentine skipper had asked his teammates to return to the dressing room until the situation normalized. The 2022 World Champions eventually came almost half an hour later.
🚨 Lionel Messi and the Argentina team walking towards the Argentina fans that are getting hit by security.pic.twitter.com/l6V7BAneyM
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) November 22, 2023
Speaking after the match, Messi said, “We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened”. He further pointed out that such a similar altercation had already happened a few weeks ago during the Copa Libertadores final. He made a similar statement through an Instagram post and demanded the Brazilian authorities stop oppressing the Argentine fans.
Lionel Messi hands Brazil their third consecutive loss
Besides the violent altercation before the match, it was a tough night for Brazil. Brazil, the five-time winners of the World Cup, have hardly been themselves in recent times. Following the resignation of ex-coach Tite and the arrival of new coach Fernando Diniz, Brazil’s performances have been really poor. They have won just two out of their six World Cup qualifiers so far.
Prior to the game against Argentina, Brazil had lost two consecutive games against Uruguay and Colombia. However, the Canarinhas succumbed to their third defeat on the trot with Nicolas Otamendi’s 63rd-minute winner. The incidents before the match had already set the mood for the clash against Argentina. In what was a fiery match, a total of 42 fouls were committed- 26 by Brazil and 16 by Argentina.
The match officials had a tough time regulating the flow of the game. Players from both sides looked extra-motivated, and no one wanted to give an inch. However, Otamendi’s header from a corner was enough for Argentina to win the match and remain at the top of the table.
Currently, Argentina has won five of their six qualifying games so far. On the other hand, Brazil is sitting in a disappointing sixth position, with just two wins and three defeats out of their six games.