Rodrygo called Messi and Argentina "cowards"

Argentina beat Brazil at the Maracana to stay top of the South American qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, but the focus was not on the scoreboard, or even on the pitch, but in the stands. Local police clashed with Lionel Scaloni's supporters and captain Messi ordered the squad to go to the dressing room before kick-off.
Rodrygo Goes outraged his opponent when he reportedly told him that he and his team were "cowards" for delaying the start of the match. Inter Miami's 'crack' approached the Brazilian along with Rodrigo de Paul to grab him by the back of the neck and shout at him in the following terms: "We are the world champions, why are we cowards? The phrase was brought to light by his country's press.
The former PSG man put his hand over his mouth so that the cameras could not make out what he was saying. As he went to the dressing room to wait for the situation to calm down in the seats, the Atletico midfielder continued to argue with the Real Madrid winger, Giovanni Lo Celso approached the scene and a melee soon broke out amid accusations and intermediaries trying to separate the players.
This was not the only episode of controversy at the time. Emiliano Martinez, on his way to the changing rooms, jumped against one of the stadium fences to stop a policeman from punching an Argentina fan. The image went viral in record time and the goalkeeper, who also gave a T-shirt to a fan at the end of the clash, earned thousands of praises from fans on social media.