Amid all the tension and drama at the start of Brazil’s 1-0 defeat at home to Argentina on Tuesday, Lionel Messi and Rodrygo were spotted deep in conversation – and their exact words have now been revealed in full.
It is one of the game’s longest and fiercely fought rivalries, and Tuesday’s World Cup qualifier was no exception with as many as 22 fouls in the opening 45 minutes between the two old rivals.
But before a ball could even be kicked there was controversy, with kick-off delayed by 27 minutes after fights broke out in the crowd between Argentina and Brazil fans, with police wading in armed with batons.
As such, Albiceleste skipper Messi took his side back into their dressing-room to regroup after the unexpected start, before coming back out and being confronted with a less-than pleased Rodrygo.
The Real Madrid star went straight over to Inter Miami talisman Messi to tell the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner exactly what he thought of the decision to leave the field.
‘You are acting like cowards, don’t you want to play the game?’ said the 22-year-old.
‘We are the World Champions, how are we cowards?’ Messi then responded. ‘Keep your mouth, watch your mouth, kid.’
