LIONEL MESSI was involved in an extraordinary bust-up with Brazil coach Tite during Argentina’s clash against their South American rivals.
The Barcelona ace looked to the touchline and put his fingers to his lips before making another hand sign towards Tite.
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The Brazil boss admitted he had been complaining to the referee during the first half and admitted the two men exchanged words.
He said: “I complained because he (Messi) should have been shown a yellow card and he told me to shut my mouth and I told him to shut his mouth.
“And that was it.”
Brazil captain Thiago Silva was not impressed with how Messi acted during the all-South American clash.
He said: “He wanted to run the game, wanted to blow the whistle. He argued with the referee and the referee kept laughing. Admiration has to be set aside.
“It’s hard, because we talk so much about education and one of the most admired guys in football says ‘I’m going to tell an old man to shut up’.
“As much as you have rivalry, education must come first.”
ARGENTINA ON A ROLL
But it was Messi who had the last laugh after his team’s good run continued with a 1-0 win in Saudi Arabia.
The 32-year-old was one of the outstanding performers for Argentina on his return to international football after missing four games through suspension.
He scored the only goal after 14 minutes.
His penalty was saved but he followed up to beat Alisson. And could have had another couple of goals but for some stout defending and the keeper’s awareness.
The result was encouraging for Argentina, who have now gone six games without defeat – their longest such run since 2016.
Speaking after the game Messi said: “From the very start we tried to play. We had a couple of misses and they had their chances.
“But in the second half we were much better.
“When you win, it puts you more at ease and that is very positive for what lies ahead.
“I ended the match well, we all ran quite a bit. And that is what we were there to do.”
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