Canelo Alvarez apologises for Lionel Messi threat

Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez has apologised for threatening Lionel Messi following Argentina's 2-0 win over Mexico at the World Cup.

Messi played a big part in his nation's victory that day, opening the scoring with an excellent strike from just outside the box.

That wasn't the reason for Alvarez's outburst though, with that being caused by a video from the Argentina dressing room after the match showing the PSG man seemingly kicking a Mexico shirt that was on the floor in front of him.

That infuriated the boxer, who took to Twitter to express his anger and threaten the Argentine.

"Did you see Messi cleaning the floor with our jersey and flag????" Alvarez posted. "He better pray to God that I don't find him!! Just like I respect Argentina, he has to respect Mexico!"

Alvarez has now backed down and apologised for those comments though, saying he got carried away in the heat of the moment. He puts the anger down to a love for his country, but admits he went too far.

"In these last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I have for my country and I made some comments that were out of order," he subsequently posted on Twitter.

"I want to apologise to Messi and to all the people of Argentina. Every day we learn something new and this time, it was my turn."

Messi has accepted the apology, saying it was just a misunderstanding.

"I saw that Canelo apologised," the seven-time Ballon d'Or winner said.

"It was a misunderstanding, those who know me can tell I have never disrespected anyone. It's part of a locker room to leave the shirts on the floor. I don't even have to apologize because I did not disrespect the people of Mexico or their flag. That's it. Nothing happens."