Lionel Messi has called for an end to Argentina fans''repression' in Brazil following the recent violent scenes at the Maracana.
The World Cup qualifier at Rio de Janeiro's famous stadium was delayed by more than 30 minutes on Tuesday night after police intervened in response to reports of Argentina fans booing the Brazilian national anthem.
This set the tone for a tense encounter in which the Albiceleste emerged victorious thanks to a Nicolas Otamendi strike.
Messi, on the other hand, took to Instagram after the game to express his displeasure with the unfair treatment of Argentines.
The 2023 Ballon d’Or winner wrote “This team continues to make history… Great victory in the Maracana although it will be marked by the repression of the Argentinians once again in Brazil. This can’t be tolerated, it’s crazy and it needs to end now!!”
Brazil and Argentina's rivalry is one of the most ferocious in world football, with numerous incidents of violence documented in previous encounters.
Earlier this month, during the Copa Libertadores final between Fluminense and Boca Juniors, violence broke out on Rio's Copacabana beach, prompting a similarly harsh response from Brazilian authorities.
