The backstage clip from the match between Argentina and Mexico, featuring star Lionel Messi, has angered four-division champion Canelo Alvarez.

The incident originated from a backstage video where Argentine forward Lionel Messi was celebrating Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Mexico in their second match of Group C at the 2022 World Cup. While changing his kit, Messi was seen nudging an object, believed to be a Mexican jersey or flag, with his foot.

This video drew the ire of Mexican super middleweight champion Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, who posted an angry tweet about the incident, threatening Messi.

“Did you see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag? He better pray to God that I don’t find him. Just like I respect Argentina, he must respect Mexico. I’m not talking about the country as a whole, just about the nonsense that Messi did.”

Canelo’s reaction quickly garnered global media attention and responses from football personalities. Some viewers suggested that Canelo was seeking attention during his break from fighting, while others, including Messi’s former Argentina teammate Sergio Aguero, responded strongly.

“Mr. Canelo, don’t go finding excuses or problems. Surely you don’t know anything about football and what happens in a locker room. The shirts are always on the floor after games because of sweat, and if you look closely, he (Messi) is just taking off his boots and accidentally touches the jersey.”

Many believe that Canelo overreacted and lacked understanding of football traditions. The majority of the public has criticized Canelo’s aggressive stance rather than supporting his anger. Many fans feel that the boxer, born in 1991, exaggerated the issue without understanding the context of football locker rooms.

Messi and the Argentine team are under pressure, having only secured three points from their two matches, with their advancement in Group C still uncertain. The Paris St. Germain star and his teammates are now focused on their crucial match against Poland at 2:00 AM on December 1, Vietnam time.

As for Canelo Alvarez, after a busy fighting schedule and successfully defending his super middleweight titles, the Mexican fighter is currently recovering from a hand injury and is expected to return to the ring in 2023.