Multiple world champion Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez has issued a threat to 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 on Saturday night, 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, and the players were 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 initially 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..."
He continued, adding that, despite Messi's status, he has to respect the Mexican flag and shirt.
Así como respeto Argentina tiene que respetar mexico!! no hablo del país(argentina) hablo de messi por su mamada que hizo. 👊🏻🔥November 28, 2022
"Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico! I'm not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls*** that Messi did."
Argentinian fans have come to Messi's aid on social media, though, arguing the 35-year-old was only taking his boots off in the video, not wiping the floor with the Mexican shirt as Alvarez suggests.
Lionel Messi's super strike against Mexico saw the Argentina captain draw level with Diego Maradona on World Cup goals - both have eight in total, though Maradona has a World Cup trophy to his name, too.
Messi will have the chance to add to his tally against Poland in their final group match, with the European side top of the group with four points.
Mexico, meanwhile, will have to defeat Saudi Arabia and hope Poland win in their game. There are plenty of other permutations, though, so it's still all to play for.
