Frustrated Messi launches rant at officials after his Copa America dismissal
Lionel Messi claimed Argentina were treated unfairly at the Copa America and did not collect his bronze medal after being controversially sent off in the 2-1 third-place play-off win over Chile.
The Barcelona star was dismissed towards the end of the first half of Saturday’s match in Sao Paulo following a confrontation with former Cardiff midfielder Gary Medel, who was also shown a red card.
Messi appeared to have been hard done by, with Chile defender Medel appearing to push his head towards the Argentina playmaker as they squared up, chest to chest.
Messi did not take part in the medal presentations with the rest of the squad, and told reporters of his frustrations following the ceremony.
The Argentina captain suggested he had been singled out following his comments over the “crazy” officiating in the wake of their 2-0 semi-final defeat by hosts Brazil in Belo Horizonte.
“We don’t need to be part of the corruption that we’ve suffered at this tournament,” Messi said, as quoted by Spanish media outlet AS.
“Medel is always right at the limit. With a yellow that would have been the end of it for both of us, but well, maybe what I said recently had an impact.
Get FourFourTwo Newsletter
The best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.
“What’s important is that the team finished well in the tournament. Maybe this was ordered and I ended up suffering because of what I said.”
When asked about his thoughts on Sunday’s final, Messi said: “Hopefully the referees and the VAR won’t influence things and they let Peru compete, but I think that’s unlikely.”
Earlier Messi had helped set up an early goal for Manchester City forward Sergio Aguero, with Argentina going 2-0 up through Paulo Dybala.
Chile were handed a way back into the match following another controversial VAR review which resulted in a penalty being awarded after Argentina’s Giovani Lo Celso was adjudged to have fouled Charles Aranguiz. Arturo Vidal dispatched the spot-kick.
Despite again not being able to guide his country to tournament success, Messi said: “I’m leaving relaxed, with my head held high and proud of this group that’s given everything. I hope this group gets respect, they’ve got a lot to give.”
Head coach Lionel Scaloni was also left perplexed by some of the decisions.
“Either the criteria is bad, or they don’t agree. It seems to me that they are not yet clear about the VAR system,” he said at a press conference.
On the red card for his captain, Scaloni said: “I still don’t understand what Messi did to be dismissed.”
Chile – whose semi-final defeat by Peru ended hopes of a third straight Copa America title – saw Manchester United forward Alexis Sanchez forced off with a suspected hamstring problem after less than 20 minutes.
Coach Reinaldo Rueda said at a press conference: “The evaluation of our performance was positive.
“We have shown to be a team which is very disciplined and I have confidence that we are doing great work.”
Thank you for reading 5 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
FourFourTwo was launched in 1994 on the back of a World Cup that England hadn’t even qualified for. It was an act of madness… but it somehow worked out. Our mission is to offer our intelligent, international audience access to the game’s biggest names, insightful analysis... and a bit of a giggle. We unashamedly love this game and we hope that our coverage reflects that.
‘To sign off with my fifth Champions League title with Real Madrid in my last game in club football was a fairytale ending – I couldn’t put it any other way’: Toni Kroos reflects on trophy-laden career
'I got a few kisses and a few rollickings from Brian Clough: I travelled on the bus with Nottingham Forest, but once he marched me out of the dressing room' – Clive Tyldesley on working with English football's most famous managers