2026 WCQ: Remember image of Messi, Neymar – Scaloni tells Raphinha after ‘disrespectful’ comment
Argentina coach, Lionel Scaloni, has reacted to the comment directed at his side by Barcelona forward, Raphinha.
He used Lionel Messi and Neymar as examples while responding to the comment by the Brazilian forward.
Ahead of their meeting in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match on Tuesday, Raphinha, who was on target for the Selecao in their win over Colombia last week, was bullish, using swear words when talking about the encounter.
Reacting to the development in his pre-match press conference, Scaloni preferred to avoid the drama of a war of words.
The Argentina boss cited the image of Neymar and Messi after the 2021 Copa America final as his reference.
He said, “I didn’t go deep into the statements made by the Brazilian players. It’s always an important match, but at the end of the day, it’s just football.
“We have to remember the image of Messi and Neymar, that’s what we should focus on, them being together and being friends.”
Following Argentina’s victory in the 2021 Copa America, Neymar and Messi sat side by side as the pair appeared to share some jokes at the time, and the Brazilian forward appeared to laugh while they spoke.
Both Messi and Neymar won’t be available for their countries on Tuesday due to fitness issues.
2026 WCQ: Remember image of Messi, Neymar – Scaloni tells Raphinha after ‘disrespectful’ comment
