Rodrygo: Real Madrid won’t let me speak about Lionel Messi spat
Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has joked that his club will not let him speak about his on-pitch spat with Lionel Messi during the international break.
Rodrygo’s Brazil faced off against Messi’s Argentina during the break, with a header from Nicolas Otamendi ultimately sealing the win for the latter, but one of the biggest talking points from the game came when the two players found themselves in a heated exchange.
While neither has confirmed what was said, reports have claimed Rodrygo accused Argentina of playing like „cowards“ – comments which did not sit well with Messi.
Back on the club front, Rodrygo netted in Madrid’s 4-2 victory over Napoli on Wednesday evening, after which he was asked about his clash with Messi earlier in the month.
„I can’t talk about that,“ Rodrygo told the press with a smile on his face. „Madrid won’t let me!“
The spat with Messi came during a game which was plagued by violent clashes between police and fans, and the ugly nature carried over as Rodrygo revealed he had received racist abuse on social media because of his exchange with Messi.
„My social networks were invaded with insults,“ Rodrygo wrote.
„If we don’t do what they want, if we don’t behave as they think we should, if we wear something that annoys them, if we don’t lower our heads when they attack us, if we occupy spaces they think are theirs alone, the racists will act out their criminal behaviour.
„Racists are always on duty. Bad luck for them. We won’t stop.“