Mexican boxing ace Canelo Alvarez has backed away from his sensational threat to Lionel Messi over the Argentina megastar’s controversial move in his side’s dressing room.
After Argentina scored a 2-0 win against Mexico in the World Cup, footage emerged of Messi kicking a Mexico jersey.
”Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag,” Alvarez tweeted.
“He better pray to God that I don’t find him.
“Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bullshit that Messi did.”
But Alvarez, a champion boxer with 58 wins from 62 fights, has since issued an apology to Messi.
“These last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I feel for my country and made comments that were out of place for which I want to apologise to Messi and the people of Argentina,” Alvarez tweeted.
“Every day we learn something new and this time it was my turn.
“I wish both teams much success in their matches today and here we will continue supporting Mexico until the end.”
Argentina will next face Australia in the round of 16 from 6am on Sunday (AEDT).
Messi is hoping to win his first World Cup title in what’s likely his last World Cup campaign.
