Messi explains supposed rivalry between Argentina and Mexico: “The comparison doesn’t exist”

The tension between Mexican and Argentine fans has intensified in recent years, with Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Mexico in the 2022 Qatar World Cup serving as the peak of the rivalry. However, Lionel Messi is totally puzzled by its origins.

Despite the heated atmosphere surrounding their World Cup clash, Messi doesn’t view Mexico as a true football rival to Argentina. For him, Argentina’s competitive history is on a different level, and he believes the rivalry has been largely fueled by fan narratives rather than actual on-field battles and bitter past histories.

His remarks have reignited debate among football enthusiasts, with some agreeing that Argentina’s dominance makes the rivalry one-sided, while others argue that Mexico’s passion and determination make every match between the two nations significant.

Messi’s pivotal goal against Mexico at the World Cup

The high-stakes group stage clash at Lusail Stadium in November 2022 was a do-or-die moment for both Argentina and Mexico. A loss would have left the defeated team relying on a miracle in the final Group C match to stay in the tournament.

After 64 minutes of intense, nerve-wracking play, it was Messi who finally broke the deadlock—delivering a perfectly placed left-footed strike beyond the reach of Guillermo Ochoa. The goal sent a wave of catharsis through the Argentina squad and their fans, marking the beginning of their triumphant journey to a third World Cup title.

Reflecting on the moment, Messi said, “The goal I enjoyed most in Qatar was the one against Mexico. Not because of the people or anything like that. It was just a huge relief—it allowed us to regain control and depend on ourselves again.”

Messi says celebration was a release of pent-up tension, not disrespect

In his conversation, Messi explained that the intensity of his celebration after scoring wasn’t aimed at the Mexican fans but was simply a moment of emotional relief. “No, it was more of a release than anything against the people,” he clarified.

The result left Argentina with three crucial points, positioning them well for qualification to the Round of 16, which they secured by defeating Poland (2-0). Whereas Mexico faced a tough challenge, needing a victory by more than three goals against Saudi Arabia to stay in the tournament.

Reflecting on the electric atmosphere at Lusail Stadium that evening, Messi acknowledged the passionate presence of fans from both nations. “The stadium was intense—Mexico always bring their fans wherever they go, to every World Cup, every competition. I don’t know if there were more Mexicans than Argentineans, but it felt very even,” recalled the former Barcelona and PSG star.

Messi versus Mexico: a history that goes beyond Qatar

While Argentina and Mexico haven’t faced each other in official competition since their intense World Cup clash, Messi has continued to come up against Mexican clubs.

His Inter Miami debut in July 2023 was against Cruz Azul in the Leagues Cup group stage, where he made an unforgettable first impression. With a stunning free kick in the 94th minute, La Pulga secured a dramatic 2-1 victory for Las Garzas.

Tensions ran even higher in March 2024, when Inter Miami traveled to Monterrey for the second leg of their Concachampions quarterfinal. Their first encounter in Fort Lauderdale had ended in chaos—culminating in a post-match altercation in the locker rooms. By the time Messi arrived in Monterrey, Rayados fans had set the tone, burning jerseys bearing his name and creating a hostile atmosphere with chants and insults from the stands. On the pitch, Monterrey made their statement with a decisive 3-1 win.

Messi’s Legacy: rivalries, growth, and Barcelona’s influence

In January 2025, Leo once again found himself at the center of football drama when Inter Miami faced Club América in a friendly match in Las Vegas. The multiple Ballon d’Or winner scored The Herons’ first goal and directly engaged with Las Águilas fans in the packed Allegiant Stadium. He celebrated by gesturing the numbers “3” and “0” with his fingers—referencing Argentina’s three World Cup titles in contrast to Mexico’s absence in the tournament’s history.

The Barcelona Years: a masterclass in football evolution

Reflecting on his development as a player, Messi credited his time at Barcelona with shaping his understanding of the game at a profound level. “Going to Barcelona made me grow so much, learning things about football that I didn’t have in Argentina. Being with Guardiola was like a masterclass in the game and tactics,” he admitted.

Messi also expressed deep gratitude for the support he received from legendary teammates like Ronaldinho, Deco, Eto’o, Silvinho, Xavi, Iniesta, and Puyol. He recalled the excitement of winning Barcelona’s first Champions League title in years and highlighted the pivotal role of former coach Frank Rijkaard in his early career. “Rijkaard was the most important for me. He gave me the space—without him, things might have been very different,” Messi acknowledged.

Touching on Guardiola’s lasting influence, Messi noted that many teams attempted to replicate the iconic Barcelona style but often fell short, saying, “A lot of teams wanted to copy Guardiola’s Barcelona, but that ended up hurting them.”

Messi explains his decision to join Inter Miami

To end, Messi opened up about his transition to Inter Miami, revealing that he initially hoped for a return to Barcelona—the club he always considered home. However, circumstances didn’t allow it.

Ultimately, his move to the United States was rooted in personal and family considerations. “Coming to Miami was a family decision. Experiencing life in the US, playing in a growing league, and joining a club with big ambitions was exciting. I did it with my family’s well-being in mind,” he shared.

Winning the World Cup played a major role in shaping his next steps, easing the pressure to stay in Europe. “Playing for another European team wasn’t something I even thought about,” he concluded.

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