Lionel Messi has now been accused of having a superiority complex after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup with Argentina.
The Argentine superstar was seen having a heated exchange with Brazil star Rodrygo during a 2026 World Cup qualifier last week.
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According to Goal, the Real Madrid forward accused the Albiceleste of "acting like cowards", but the argument was amplified by Messi when he responded: "We are the world champions, how are we cowards? Watch your mouth!"
That incident was preceded by another altercation Messi had during their previous game against Uruguay, during which the Inter Miami star was seen grabbing one of his opponents by the neck.
Rodrygo's father responded to the altercation between his son and the former FC Barcelona talisman, posting images of Messi and Rodrigo De Paul confronting his boy and writing on Instagram: "Is anyone surprised. The little saint [Messi] who never causes trouble with anyone."
Former Paris Saint-Germain star Jerome Rothen, a known critic of the 36-year-old, has since slammed the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner for what he believes to be an apparent change in attitude after becoming a world champion in Qatar last year, saying that both he and the Albiceleste "could have more class".
"When it comes to their [Argentina's] behaviour, they are the first to attack others. Starting with the star of this team, Leo Messi. Now that he is a world champion and has had a good rest ahead of the World Cup since two years ago at PSG," he told RMC Sport.
"He used to have the image of a sweet guy, but now he has changed because his true personality is coming out and he got caught. Today, you can't even touch him anymore.
"Only when he takes a hit does he make the same comment he made to Rodrygo when he said, 'Hey, I'm a world champion'.
"The team reflects an image of Argentines. Argentine nationality is like that and you feel superior because of someone else. They could have more class."
He also gave his thoughts on Messi beating Erling Haaland to the latest Ballon d'Or.
"It's shameful! Of course, it's shameful! For me, Haaland should have won it.," Rothen continued.
"Between August 2022 and June 2023, what criteria lead us to believe that Messi is better than the rest? There is basically no criterion where he is the number one.
"If we speak about trophies, he is behind Haaland, even if he did win the World Cup. Haaland won everything with Manchester City and, of course, you can't compare based on the World Cup because Haaland is Norwegian."
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Meanwhile, in the aftermath of his altercation with Messi, Rodrygo revealed he was racially abused on social media after the incident.
"My social networks were invaded with insults. 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," he said.
"Racists are always on duty. Bad luck to them. We won't stop."
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