Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez has kept his career mostly drama-free, but he’s had a few standout moments. One of his most iconic controversies came during the pre-fight press conference with Caleb Plant – that heated exchange became a viral moment and added fuel to their epic fight. But who would’ve thought Canelo would end up beefing with Argentina’s football GOAT, Lionel Messi?

The feud started after Argentina’s win over Mexico in the FIFA World Cup when Canelo accused Messi of disrespecting the Mexican jersey in the dressing room. What began as a misunderstanding turned into a wild social media storm, with fans on both sides going off.

During the 2022 World Cup, Messi’s Argentina beat Mexico 2-0 in the group stages. After the game, Messi was spotted in the dressing room, seemingly kicking a Mexico jersey, and that’s when things got heated.

Canelo had a major outburst on social media, accusing Messi of disrespecting the Mexican national flag. On X (formerly Twitter), Canelo fired off a tweet saying Messi was “cleaning the floor” with the Mexican shirt, calling it a massive sign of disrespect toward Mexico. The drama hit another level when Canelo warned, “He better ask God not to run into me.” The tweet left everyone shocked, with fans and media going wild over the unexpected beef.

Canelo Alvarez’s Apology To Messi

A few hours later, Canelo recognized that his behavior wasn’t right. He deleted the posts and publicly apologized. In his reply to Messi, Canelo said, 

“These last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I feel for my country and made comments that were out of place for which I want to apologise to Messi and the people of Argentina. Every day, we learn something new, and this time, it was my turn.”

Though Canelo made his comments, Messi chose not to respond, staying true to his reputation for avoiding public conflicts. The Argentine footballer has an enormous global fanbase, admired not just by regular supporters but also by prominent figures from other sports. Among those who came to his defense during the controversy was boxing legend Mike Tyson. 

Also Read: Canelo Alvarez Reveals The Opponent Who ‘Fu*ng Pi**ed Him’ And It’s Not Floyd Mayweather

Also Read: 3 Possible Opponents Canelo Could Have Fought Other Than Edgar Berlanga

Boxing Legend Mike Tyson Defends Lionel Messi Amid Canelo Alvarez’s Threats

When Tyson heard about Canelo’s threats against Messi, he quickly issued a warning of his own. Tyson stated that he would confront Canelo in the boxing ring if the Mexican boxer continued to criticize Messi. The conflict erupted after a video showed Messi kicking a Mexico shirt on the floor following Argentina’s 2-0 win over Mexico at the World Cup. 

Canelo’s aggressive reaction sparked a strong defense from Messi’s extensive global fanbase, with Tyson emerging as a prominent supporter. Tyson told BBO Sports, “Someone called Canelo threatened Messi. If he dares to touch Messi, I will have to return to the ring.”

Canelo’s apology helped mend the relationship between him and Tyson, two major figures in boxing. This wasn’t the first instance of Tyson criticizing Canelo recently; he had previously condemned Alvarez for ‘lacking heart’ after turning down a $50 million fight offer.

Also Read: 3 Possible Opponents Canelo Could Have Fought Other Than Edgar Berlanga

Mike Tyson Criticizes Canelo Alvarez For Turning Down $50 Million Fight

Boxing legend Tyson has voiced his surprise at Canelo’s decision to reject a $50 million offer to fight David Benavidez. Despite the excitement among fans for the potential matchup, Alvarez opted not to face the American contender. Tyson questioned Alvarez’s decision in a statement, asking,

“What’s wrong with Canelo? Is he afraid of losing? Doesn’t he want to give the fans the fight they want to see? Don’t you want to give the fans the fight they want to see?”

Golden Boy Boxing’s promoter has also been urging Canelo to take on Benavidez. However, this Saturday, September 14, which coincides with Mexican Independence Day, Canelo will be fighting Edgar Berlanga in what promises to be a memorable bout. While fans are still keen on seeing a Canelo-Benavidez fight, there is no confirmation yet. New developments might emerge after Canelo’s upcoming fight.