Al-Marsad Newspaper: Lionel Messi, the French striker of Paris Saint-Germain, broke his silence for the first time after the incident, “the Argentine star stepped on the Mexico national team shirt,” in the dressing room.
Messi said, during remarks reported by the Mexican newspaper “Record”: “What happened was a misunderstanding, and whoever knows me knows that I do not underestimate my respect for anyone.”
He added, “I do not have to apologize, because I did not disrespect the people of Mexico, the team, or anyone else.”
During the Argentine stars’ celebration of the victory over Mexico inside the dressing room, Messi appeared kicking the Mexico shirt with his foot, then standing on it with his feet while dancing with the rest of the players, in a scene that some considered an insult to the Mexico national team.
Messi led his country to a 2-0 victory over Poland on Wednesday evening, despite missing a penalty kick.