Footage of Lionel Messi and James Rodriguez having a tense conversation during Tuesday night’s World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Colombia has gone viral on social media. The incident occurred shortly after Enzo Fernandez had been shown a straight red card for a challenge on Kevin Castano.
Chelsea midfielder Fernandez caught Castano with a high boot, leaving the defender with a nasty-looking mark on his forehead. Moments after Fernandez was sent off, and while Castano was receiving treatment, Messi and Rodriguez - the former Real Madrid playmaker - were seen speaking to each other with their hands over their mouths. Watch Fernandez’s red card challenge below:
Argentina were trailing 1-0 at the time, following Luis Diaz’s sublime first-half goal. However, the 2022 World Cup winners battled back and secured a point thanks to an 81st-minute equaliser from Thiago Almada.
The result means Argentina sit 10 points clear at the top of the South American World Cup qualification table with 35 points. Ecuador and Brazil currently sit second and third, respectively, with 25 points apiece.
CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifiers Table
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What Was Said Between Messi and James
Argentine broadcasters reveal the conversation
Lionel Messi vs Colombia
James looked visibly shocked by something Messi said to him. The Colombian replied to the man widely regarded as the greatest footballer of all time: “Why? I didn’t say anything.”
According to TyC Sports, who broadcast the match in South America, Messi then said to James: “You said they helped us in the final. You talk a lot.” Watch the clip below:
It’s clear that Messi hasn’t forgotten what James said in the aftermath of the 2024 Copa America final between Argentina and Colombia. Argentina secured a 1-0 victory in Florida last July thanks to an extra-time winner from Lautaro Martinez, but James had plenty to say in the aftermath of the final.
Per Goal, James claimed Messi and Argentina benefited after receiving undue favouring from Brazilian referee Raphael Claus. "We had an excellent Copa America. Obviously, we wanted the title, but we didn’t win the Copa America because of external things, I think,” he said on the Los Amigos de Edu programme. “The referee favoured Argentina. He didn’t give us penalties. For me a clear one."
Messi, it seems, still holds a grudge towards James over his controversial post-final comments. And those comments were clearly at the forefront of the Argentina captain’s mind during their latest heated on-field clash.
The 37-year-old was also fuming with referee Juan Gabriel Benitez for his failure to control the match, according to World Soccer Talk. As the players left the pitch, Messi was quoted as saying to the match official: “This is your fault! You’re the one who caused all this, you’re the one who caused all this, with the decisions you made. You’re the one who sparked everything that happened.” Watch that clip below:
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