Messi reacts to Uruguay players gesture after Argentina’s defeat

Argentina captain Lionel Messi reacted gesture from Uruguay players after his side lost 2-0 in the fifth round of the South American qualifier for 2026 World Cup on Friday.

Uruguay END Argentina's unbeaten run. It's their first defeat since their World Cup loss to Saudi Arabia ❌️#Argentina #Messi #Uruguay #CONMEBOLQualifiers #365Scores pic.twitter.com/G9Zkj8V7OK

— 365Scores (@365Scores) November 17, 2023

#BREAKING: Argentina defeat to Uruguay was the first match Lionel Messi will feature for the national team without since since November 25 pic.twitter.com/qkSn3EcGJi

— Forsige Breaking News (@ForsigeNews) November 17, 2023

Messi openly criticized the disrespectful actions exhibited by Uruguayan squad member during the tie at La Bombonera.

Uruguay ends Argentina's longest unbeaten run in FIFA World Cup Qualifying history (25 games) ❌

It's also the first game that Lionel Messi started for Argentina in which he did not score since last November 😮 pic.twitter.com/LLwS8mhs07

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) November 17, 2023

The match witnessed several altercations, ending in a particularly contentious incident involving Uruguay’s Manuel Ugarte and Argentina’s Rodrigo De Paul.

Ugarte was also seen making an obscene gesture towards De Paul during the altercation.

Speaking during his post-match interview, Messi said (via Albiceleste Talk), “I prefer not to say what I think about some gestures. But these young people have to learn to respect their elders.

“This game was always intense and hard but always with a lot of respect. They have to learn a little bit.”