World boxing champion Canelo Alvarez has astonishingly warned Argentina superstar Lionel Messi he better not "find him" as he accused the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner of disrespecting Mexico's flag.
It was Messi who netted the vital goal in Argentina's recent 2-0 group stage win over Mexico at the Qatar World Cup, severely denting Canelo's hopes of progressing into the knockout rounds in the process. However, it wasn't the result that appeared to rile the 58-time winner up - it was the dressing room celebrations afterwards.
As the Paris Saint-Germain superstar took off his boots he seemed to kick a Mexican shirt that was on the floor. A furious Alvarez took to Twitter to write: "Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag, He better pray to God that I don't find him.
"Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico!," the boxer went on. "I'm not talking about the country as a whole, just about the bulls**t that Messi did."
Former Argentina team-mate and international room-mate Sergio Aguero has since intervened. The Manchester City legend replied to the boxer: "Mr. Canelo, don't look for excuses or problems, surely you don't know about soccer and what happens in a locker room.
"The shirts are always on the floor after the games are over due to sweat and then if you see well, he makes the movement to remove the boot and accidentally hits it."
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Aguero isn't the only one to have taken issue with Alvarez's outburst, with a healthy mix of Argentina and even Mexico fans uniting in their defence of Messi's conduct.
"He's [Alvarez] just looking for attention since he's no longer relevant. Honestly I never heard of him till now," one fan wrote online. "He clearly taking off his shoes."
Another Mexico fan added: "They want to break [his] balls and take everything out of context, they are in the locker room celebrating and they are taking off their boots. Messi is the most humble and never denigrated anyone."
Messi himself has not commented on the matter. He did concede that the overriding emotion after the 2-0 win was one of relief as Argentina avoid an early, humiliating elimination from the tournament.
'"We needed this euphoria,' the La Albiceleste legend said. "The days were very long, and we were eager to have the chance to turn it around. It was a critical game. [Winning] was a weight off our shoulders, and we now have peace of mind.'
'The first half was difficult due to the situation and the need to win. We couldn't find spaces. In the second half, we started playing our game and doing what we stand for... The goal changed the game."
