Lionel Messi takes aim at Raphinha after the Brazil star sent x-rated message
By SAM BROOKES
Lionel Messi has hit back at Raphinha after watching Argentina thrash Brazil 4-1 on Tuesday night in World Cup qualifying.
The rivalry between Argentina and Brazil is one of the fiercest in international football, and Raphinha stoked the flames ahead of kick-off as he sent an x-rated message to his team's South American opponents.
Speaking with Selecao legend Romario, Raphinha told him: 'We will beat them, no doubt. On and off the pitch, if we have to.' Romario then added to the war of words, as he asked Raphinha: 'F*** them?'
'F*** them,' Raphinha agreed.
However, Tuesday's game went disastrously wrong for Brazil as they were well beaten, much to Messi's delight, who was watching from home after pulling out of Argentina's squad with a minor muscle injury.
Congratulating Argentina on their two victories over the international break that sealed their place at next year's World Cup, Messi wrote on his Instagram Story: 'In, out, I'll follow this team anywhere. We always talk with our football. Congratulations on the great match last night and also for the victory against Uruguay.'
Lionel Messi took aim at Raphinha after watching Argentina thrash Brazil on Tuesday night
Raphinha and his team had a miserable night after he had sent an x-rated message to Argentina before kick-off
Messi posted on Instagram after the game that Argentina 'always talk with our football'
Messi's reference to Argentina doing their talking on the pitch appears to be a clear dig at Raphinha after an embarrassing evening for Brazil.
The five-time World Cup winners conceded two early goals, with Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez putting Argentina in complete control.
Matheus Cunha pounced on a Cristian Romero error to bring Brazil back into the game, but further goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Giuliano Simeone wrapped up a comprehensive win for the hosts.
Argentina's players and fans revelled in their victory, with supporters heard chanting 'sub off Raphinha, you son of a b***h', while Fernandez told the Barcelona winger that he 'talks too much' in one particularly angry exchange.
Fernandez also mocked defender Leo Ortiz by sticking his tongue out and making a taunting expression before calling the Flamengo man a 'fool'.
With Argentina 3-1 up and dominating, players of both sides clashed in a melee and Nicolas Otamendi could also be seen gesturing to Raphinha, telling him to 'talk less'.
Argentina and Aston Villa's wind-up merchant goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez also started doing keepy-uppies once the result was beyond doubt to rub further salt into Brazil's wounds.
Argentina are now eight points clear at the top of the South American qualifying group, but Brazil are down in fourth and still have work to do to book their spot at the 2026 World Cup.
Raphinha was taunted throughout Tuesday's match by Argentina's players and supporters
Emiliano Martinez rubbed salt into Brazil's wounds by doing keepy-uppies in the second half
Six teams from CONMEBOL get an automatic place at the tournament in the USA, Mexico and Canada, while the team in seventh go into a play-off.
Brazil have a six-point cushion over seventh-placed Venezuela with four qualifying matches left to play.
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