Boxing champion Canelo Álvarez has publicly criticized Argentinian football star Lionel Messi following a video circulating online that appeared to show Messi inadvertently kicking a Mexico jersey in the locker room after Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Mexico in the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Álvarez, a Mexican national, accused Messi of showing disrespect towards the Mexican flag, and people.
The controversy began after footage emerged showing Messi seemingly making contact with a Mexico jersey while celebrating with teammates. While the contact appeared unintentional, it quickly drew criticism from some Mexican fans and figures, including Álvarez. The boxer took to social media to express his displeasure, stating, “What a bad example for so many kids. Why don’t you approach and apologize? You better pray to God I don’t locate you.” (Yahoo Sports)
Álvarez’s comments sparked a wider debate, with some defending Messi and arguing the incident was accidental and lacked malicious intent. Others echoed Álvarez’s sentiment, viewing the action as disrespectful. Messi has since responded to the criticism, though his comments, as reported by @AlbicelesteTalk, suggest the issue stems from perceived animosity from Mexican fans towards him. He indicated the jersey contact occurred amidst a heightened emotional atmosphere following the match.
The incident occurred during a particularly tense World Cup for Mexico, which faced elimination after the loss to Argentina. The team subsequently qualified for the knockout stage, adding another layer of complexity to the situation. The Mexican Football Federation has not issued a formal statement regarding the matter. (NBC News)
Álvarez, known for his national pride, has previously been outspoken on issues related to Mexico. His strong reaction to the jersey incident underscores the sensitivity surrounding national symbols and the potential for misinterpretation in the highly charged environment of international sporting events. (ESPN)
As of February 25, 2026, Messi has not publicly apologized for the incident, and Álvarez has not commented further on whether he intends to pursue a direct confrontation. (9News)
