LIONEL MESSI has called the turmoil at the Brazil vs. Argentina World Cup qualifier a “tragedy that could have happened.”
Before the game, chaos broke out at the Maracana between fans and police.
Lionel Messi has spoken out following the turmoil at the Brazil-Argentina match.
Before Argentina’s opponents Brazil were defeated 1-0, a violent conflict between police and fans in the stands caused a major melee.
Following the incident, police used batons to restrain the fans, injuring several and leaving others covered in blood.
Instead of enjoying the victory, Messi has spoken out against the violence in Rio de Janeiro.
“We saw how police were hitting people; it happened in the Libertadores final,” he stated.
“They were more focused on that than on the game.”
A similar event occurred earlier this year when Fluminense defeated Boca Juniors at the Maracana.
“We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened,” Messi remarked.
“We are a unit. We chose to play to de-escalate the situation.”
“This team continues to make history,” the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remarked on Instagram.
“A great victory in the Maracana, though it will be marked by Argentine repression in Brazil once more.”
“This cannot be tolerated; it is insane, and it must end immediately!”
Meanwhile, other Argentina players took matters into their own hands during the game to retaliate against the cops.
Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez lunged forward into the stands, attempting to take a baton from the hand of a police officer before being tackled by his teammates.
Messi led his squad back into the locker room to wait for the situation to settle.
Argentina committed to return to the field only when tensions with archrival Brazil subsided.
The game began after the 2022 World Cup winners returned after 22 minutes.
Argentina is flying through its South American World Cup qualifying group, sitting atop the table with 15 points, while Brazil is sixth with seven.
Argentina’s player addressed the crowd in an attempt to calm things down.