sport news Messi's Mexico shirt-kicking 'victim' Andres Guardado says the row over the ... trends now
Andres Guardado has leapt to the defence of Lionel Messi after he was threatened by boxing champion Canelo Alvarez for appearing to kick his Mexico shirt in the dressing room following Argentina's win over his side at the World Cup.
Guardado, who is appearing at a record-equalling fifth World Cup but has been ruled out of Mexico's final group game against Saudi Arabia, said the row between Alvarez and Messi was 'silly'.
Alvarez responded furiously to footage showing Messi seemingly kicking out at a stray Mexican jersey on the floor as they celebrated in the dressing room after their 2-0 victory.
'Did you guys see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag,' Alvarez tweeted. 'He better pray to God that I don't find him. Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico!'
Lionel Messi appeared to kick a stray Mexican shirt in the dressing room on Saturday
Andres Guardado has come out in defence of Messi in the bizarre row over the incident
But Guardado, who revealed it was his Mexico shirt at the centre of the bizarre row, hit back at Alvarez for his angry comments towards the Argentinian star and defended Messi's actions.
'I know the person Messi is,' the 35-year-old said, according to Argentinian broadcaster TyC Sports.
'It's a deal with the staff that when it's all sweaty, it gets left on the floor. Be it your jersey or rival. Canelo doesn't know what a dressing room is. It seems silly to
