Manuel Ugarte made his thoughts known on Rodrigo de Paul during Uruguay’s clash against Argentina on Friday.
The two south American giants were involved in a feisty World Cup qualifier in Buenos Aires, with Uruguay coming away 2-0 victors.
Goals from Barcelona defender Ronald Aurajo and Liverpool’s Darwin Nunez sealed the win for Marcelo Bielsa’s side, leaving them just two points behind their rivals in the qualifying standings.Tensions were high from the get-go, with Messi escaping a red card for an elbow and throat grab on his opponent.
Meanwhile, Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Ugarte had some choice words for his opposite number, De Paul just 21 minutes into the action.During a mini brawl between both sets of players, Ugarte made an outrageous gesture to the Atletico Madrid man, before pointing to Messi.Fans reckon he was referencing De Paul’s protective nature over the seven time Ballon d’Or winner, brutally calling him “Messi’s suck up”.
Speaking to reporters after the game, Messi made mention to Ugarte’s gesture, suggesting he needed to “learn respect”.“I prefer not to say what I think about some gestures,” the World Cup winner said.”But these young people have to learn to respect from their elders. This game was always intense and hard but always with a lot of respect.
They have to learn a little bit.”Rodrigo De Paul continues to be Lionel Messi’s unofficial bodyguard and played up to the role against Honduras.Argentina beat the CONCACAF outfit 3-0 at the Hard Rock Stadium, with Messi bagging a brace after Lautaro Martinez opened the scoring.
The 35-year-old doubled Argentina’s lead with a penalty and then notched a stunning chip in the 69th minute.Only a few minutes prior, Messi had been on the receiving end of a shocking shoulder charge challenge from Deiby Flores and was writhing around on the turf holding his face.
It sparked a bit of a brawl and of course De Paul, the feisty Atletico Madrid midfielder, was straight in there to defend Messi.Flores was shown a yellow card and eventually things cooled down.
Watch video below:
pic.twitter.com/OxGK86b89B
— ataque futbolero pedofilo (@Borjalglesias) November 17, 2023
