Percy Onyeka
Argentina captain Lionel Messi has sent a message to Uruguay’s young players, saying they “still have to learn from their elders” after their behaviour in Thursday’s World Cup qualifier.
Argentina fell 2-0 at La Bombonera, which was their first defeat since being crowned world champions in 2022.
Asked about Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte’s obscene gesture directed at Argentina midfielder Rodrigo De Paul in the 23rd minute of the game, Messi said: “Well, these young people have to learn. They [Uruguay] have a good group of players, a good national team, but they have to learn respect from their [Uruguay] elders because this Clásico was always intense, hard, but always with a lot of respect. So they have to learn a little.”
De Paul had in the 19th minute been involved in an altercation with Uruguay defender Mathías Olivera that led to a brawl breaking out between the sides.
Messi was captured pushing his right elbow into Olivera’s chest before placing his left hand around his throat.
“It’s normal, in this type of games, qualifiers, it’s always like this with Uruguay,” Messi said. “We knew what type of game we were going to find, it was difficult for us to play. They are intense and have physical and fast people. We did not feel comfortable.”
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Techrectory with Agency Report.
