Multiple world champion Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez has apologised for threatening Lionel Messi, after videos circulated on social media of the Argentine apparently wiping the floor with a Mexico shirt.
Messi helped his nation to a 2-0 victory over Mexico in Group C of World Cup 2022 last Saturday, scoring a brilliant goal from outside the box in the 64th minute before Enzo Fernandez added another in the 87th.
Having lost their opening game 2-1 to Saudi Arabia, a win against Mexico was essential if Argentina were to progress to the knockout stages, with the players understandably jubilant in the dressing room afterwards. The squad was filmed dancing and singing, but one action from Messi has riled up Canelo Alvarez.
Alvarez tweeted: "Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey? May Messi pray to God that I don't run into him somewhere..."
However, he has since calmed down after the incident, suggesting he got caught up in the moment after watching his nation lose a crucial game in the tournament.
"In these last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I have for my country and I made some comments that were out of order," he subsequently posted on Twitter.
Estos últimos días me dejé llevar por la pasión y el amor que siento por mi país e hice comentarios que estuvieron fuera de lugar por lo que quiero disculparme con Messi y la gente de Argentina. Todos los días aprendemos algo nuevo y esta vez me tocó a mí.November 30, 2022
"I want to apologise to Messi and to all the people of Argentina. Every day we learn something new and this time, it was my turn."
Messi didn't take the initial threat too seriously, though, and has accepted the apology Alvarez issued.
"I saw that Canelo apologised," Messi said.
"It was a misunderstanding, those who know me can tell I have never disrespected anyone. It's part of a locker room to leave the shirts on the floor. I don't even have to apologize because I did not disrespect the people of Mexico or their flag. That's it. Nothing happens."
Argentina will play Australia in the last-16 of the World Cup on Saturday, having topped Group C with a win against Poland last night.
Mexico, meanwhile, have been eliminated from the tournament, their four points not enough to reach the knockout stages.
