Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, gave an explanation for why he escorted his team from the field to the locker room after their 1-0 victory over Brazil in their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying match yesterday.
The players from Argentina had left the ground in protest over the police attacks on their supporters during the match.
Before the World Cup qualifier began, there were some very unpleasant events at the Maracana Stadium. During the Brazilian national anthem, police charged at the visiting supporters.
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The Argentina players hurried over to the away end in an attempt to diffuse the tension while some supporters were left wounded, bruised, and in need of medical attention.
Emi Martinez, the goalkeeper for Argentina, was once even observed attempting to take a baton from a police officer.
In the end, though, Messi made the decision to guide his team off the pitch and back to the locker room.
Following a protracted break, Argentina’s players returned to the pitch, but the intense tension had now transferred onto the pitch, with Brazilian forward Rodrygo and Argentinean Rodrigo De Paul disputing about whether or not to go back to the dressing room.
Messi tried to step in, but the situation continued to worsen.
After a long and intense build-up, the game finally began. Nicolas Otamendi scored the game’s lone goal, and Joelinton was sent off for yelling at De Paul.
Messi said to reporters during the match, “We witnessed how the police were striking individuals, including some of our families here as well.
“It also occurred in this Libertadores final [between Boca Juniors of Argentina and Fluminense of Brazil].” That occupies their attention more than really playing the game.
“Our family is here. The easiest way to settle things down was to head to the locker room because something terrible could have happened today.
