Lionel Messi faces ban as furious Mexican politician submits motion in World Cup row | Football | Sport
Maria Clemente Garcia Moreno, an influential campaigner, has tabled a motion for the official condemnation of the Argentina captain. Mexicans raged after Messi appeared to kick away a Mexico shirt after Argentina beat the nation in their final World Cup group stage clash and subsequently knocked them out of the tournament.
The document states: “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 Andrés 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.”
Messi swapped shirts with Mexico captain Andreas Guardado after the game, in which the 35-year-old PSG ace scored and assisted. But during Argentina’s post-match celebrations in their dressing room, Messi was filmed appearing to boot away the jersey.
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But the undisputed middleweight champion later apologised after taking on Argentine journalists and Messi’s former team-mate, Sergio Aguero. “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. Every day we learn something new and this time it was my turn,” the 32-year-old wrote.
Messi is now preparing for Argentina’s quarter-final clash with the Netherlands. His goal was part of a 2-1 victory over Australia in the last-16. The Barca legend has scored three goals during the World Cup in Qatar and has dragged Lionel Scaloni’s side on from their shock opening game defeat by Saudi Arabia.
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