The Lionel Messi Mexico rivalry quote went viral on Thursday as the Inter Miami star said there's no rivalry between Argentina and El Tri. He doubled down saying that Mexico fans believe there's a rivalry when in reality there is none.
Messi appeared on Simplemente Fútbol when he shared his feelings on the disdain Mexico fans have for him.
Lionel Messi Mexico rivalry
Leo Messi: "The truth is I don't know what happened with Mexico, when did this rivalry start. I always felt very loved by Mexico, I never disrespected anyone, I think they put themselves in a position of having a rivalry with us that doesn’t really exist.
"The comparision… pic.twitter.com/XO9wp2nIfa— All About Argentina (@AlbicelesteTalk) April 17, 2025
"The truth is I don't know what happened with Mexico, when that rivalry, that anger, started,” Messi said.
“I always felt very loved by Mexico, I never disrespected anyone, I think they put themselves in a position of having a rivalry with us that doesn’t really exist.”
Messi then dropped the quote making all the headlines.
“The comparison between Argentina and Mexico doesn't exist,” he said.
From a statistical standpoint Messi has a strong argument. The two nations have met 11 times in the past two decades with Argentina winning nine and drawing twice. Messi has scored four times against Mexico with the most iconic coming in the 2022 World Cup to essentially eliminate El Tri.
MESSI
Argentina takes the lead vs Mexico! pic.twitter.com/iqDUyzzxlx— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 26, 2022
Mexico fans’ animosity toward the Inter Miami star has been seen several times in the last few years.
During the 2022 World Cup there was a controversial moment when Messi appeared to kick a Mexico jersey on the ground while celebrating in the locker room. Mexican boxer Canelo Álvarez called Messi out for the incident but later apologized.
Afición mexicana poniéndose ayer el jersey de #Messi #Argentina y su ídolo pateando la playera de #México que estaba en el suelo. pic.twitter.com/j9PcnAo3WT
— Uriel Chacón | (@DimeChacon_) November 27, 2022
During the 2024 Concacaf Champions Cup Messi and Inter Miami made a trip to Monterrey where the home fans relentlessly booed him. Some Rayados supporters even torched Messi jerseys for the game.
صافرات استهجان من الجماهير المكسيكيه لحظة ذكر اسم الأسطورة ميسي pic.twitter.com/tsh26lvwry
— موسى.. (@_m20ii) April 11, 2024
Messi had another run-in with Mexican fans in January during a friendly between Club América and Miami. The 37-year-old gestured toward the fans with three fingers held up to indicate Argentina’s World Cup triumphs. He then made a zero with his hand and pointed at the Mexico fans to remind them of their empty World Cup trophy cabinet.
Leo Messi to Mexican fans: "Argentina has won 3 World Cups, and Mexico? Zero."pic.twitter.com/SdySZza8vC
— Score Universal (@ScoreUniversal) January 19, 2025
On paper (and the field if we’re being honest) there’s no real competition between Mexico and Argentina. The South American giants are simply an echelon above. The rivalry instead exists in the spheres of social media and fandom where Mexico supporters have a litany of reasons to despise Messi.
His latest quote has fanned more flames among Mexico fans.
There's a chance of Messi having another trip to Mexico this season. Should Inter Miami defeat Vancouver Whitecaps in the Champions Cup semifinal, the Herons will then face the winner of Tigers/Cruz Azul in the final.
