Injured Lionel Messi Breaks Silence on Argentina-Brazil Rivalry

Brazil was down 2-0 inside 12 minutes en route to its worst defeat against Argentina since 1964. The result also extended La Albiceleste's six-year unbeaten run against Brazil. 

Argentina goalkeeper and well-known troll Emiliano Martinez provoked Brazil by juggling the ball in his own penalty area in the second half. 

Midfielder Leandro Paredes scathingly reminded Brazil forward Rodrygo that Argentina has one World Cup and two Copa America titles since 2021, while historic soccer power Brazil has zero major trophies in that time.

Striker Julian Alvarez added to the humiliation after the match, joking that if Messi was playing, they could have scored "two or three more."

If that was not enough, absent captain Messi delivered the final blow the morning after the match by sending a clear message to his team on social media. 

Without referring to Brazil by name, Messi implied that his rivals did not do their talking on the pitch.

"Inside, outside, wherever it may be with this National Team," Messi wrote in Spanish on his Instagram story, as translated by Fabrizio Romano. "Always speaking through football.”

“Congratulations on the great match you played last night and also on the win against Uruguay,” Messi continued in the message shared with his 504 million followers. 

Now that Argentina has officially qualified for a chance to defend its 2022 World Cup title in the United States, Canada and Mexico in 2026, the frustrating caution surrounding Messi's health will have another layer of intrigue over the next 15 months.

The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner was a late scratch from the Argentina roster due to a "low-grade injury in the adductor muscle" that was suffered after his remarkable goal in the match against Atlanta United. 

His status for Inter Miami's next MLS match against Philadelphia Union on Saturday is unclear.