Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez had a harsh confrontation during Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Colombia on Tuesday night, and the video has gone viral. The incident occurred shortly after Enzo Fernandez was issued a straight red card for a challenge on Kevin Castano.
Chelsea player Fernandez caught Castano with a high boot, causing an ugly mark on the defender’s forehead. Messi and Rodriguez, the former Real Madrid maestro, were spotted conversing with their hands over their mouths moments after Fernandez was sent off and while Castano was being treated. Watch Fernandez’s red card challenge below.
Argentina was down 1-0 at the moment after Luis Diaz’s spectacular first-half goal. However, the 2022 World Cup winners battled back and earned a point thanks to Thiago Almada’s 81st-minute equaliser.
Argentina now leads the South American World Cup qualification table by ten points, with 35. Ecuador and Brazil are presently ranked second and third, with 25 points each.
CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers’ Table
Position
Team
Played
Points
1.
Argentina
16
35
2.
Ecuador
16
25
3.
Brazil
16
25
4.
Uruguay
16
24
5.
Paraguay
16
24
6.
Colombia
16
22
7.
Venezuela
16
18
8.
Bolivia
16
17
9.
Peru
16
12
10.
Chile
16
10
Argentine broadcasters reveal Messi and James’ chat.
James seems stunned by anything Messi said to him. The Colombian responded to the guy widely recognized as the greatest footballer of all time by asking, “Why?” I did not say anything.
According to TyC Sports, who carried the match in South America, Messi then told James, “You claimed they assisted us in the final. “You talk a lot.” Watch the video below.
Messi clearly remembers what James said following the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. Argentina won 1-0 in Florida last July thanks to Lautaro Martinez’s extra-time goal, but James had a lot to say after the game.
According to Goal, James said Messi and Argentina benefited from unfair favoritism from Brazilian referee Raphael Claus. “We had an amazing Copa América. Obviously, we wanted the title, but we didn’t win the Copa America due to external factors, I believe,” he stated on the Los Amigos de Edu program. “The referee preferred Argentina. He didn’t penalize us. For me, the answer is clear.”
Messi seemed to still carry a grudge against James for his controversial post-final comments. And such sentiments were certainly on the Argentina captain’s mind during their most recent heated on-field fight.
According to World Soccer Talk, the 37-year-old was reportedly upset with referee Juan Gabriel Benitez for failing to keep control of the game. As the players exited the pitch, Messi was quoted as telling the match official, “This is your fault!” You are the one who triggered all of this by your judgments. You are the one who triggered everything that transpired.” Watch the footage below:
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