- Lionel Messi and Rodrygo exchange words after a mass fan incident prior to the clash
- Argentinian Rodrigo De Paul was also involved for the important rivalry match
- The curse of our game is referee abuse, we are not doing enough to stop it. The punishments must be SEVERE – It all starts
- DailyMail.com provides all the latest international sports news
Argentine Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul exchanged heated words with Brazilian Rodrygo after the teams returned to the pitch following the clash between fans and police at the Maracana Stadium.
The start of the match was delayed by almost half an hour when fighting broke out in the crowd between Brazilian and Argentinian fans, with police needed to disperse the violence.
Several fans were seen ripping the seats off stadium seats and using them as weapons.
Messi eventually led the Argentina team off the field at the Maracana until the violence stopped.
It is unclear what started the violence in the stands and what led to the disagreement between the trio.
Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul objected to something said by Brazilian Rodrygo
The rivalry between Barcelona and Real Madrid never ends as Rodrygo feuds with a club legend in Messi
Both the Ballon d’Or winner and teammate De Paul were seen glaring in Rodrygo’s face.
After the original trio came together, several other players from both teams joined in to ensure the conversation did not escalate further, with Messi seen wrapping a hand around his opponent’s neck before walking away.
Rodrygo and Rodrigo De Paul both play for Spanish clubs in the same city, at Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid respectively.
Messi’s move to Inter Miami in Major League Soccer last summer has not stopped him from being an integral member of the Argentina national team.
The rivalry match was contested as a World Cup qualifier from Rio de Janeiro, with Argentina winning 1–0 following a second-half goal from Nicolas Otamendi.
The match also featured a red card, which was given to Brazil’s Joelinton less than 10 minutes after coming into the match as a substitute.