Canelo Alvarez threatens Lionel Messi over alleged Mexico insult

Four-weight boxing world champion Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvaraz has made a bizarre threat to Lionel Messi following Argentina’s World Cup win over Mexico.

Argentina won 2-0 in the Group C clash to put Mexico on the verge of elimination from the tournament with one game remaining, with Messi especially influential. He scored a brilliant opener before setting up Enzo Fernandez for the second.

Footage emerged from a jubilant Argentina dressing room after the match which showed Messi accidentally kick and stand on a Mexico shirt on the floor, and it really didn’t go down well with Alvarez.

"Did you see Messi cleaning the changing room with our jersey and flag????" Mexican Canelo wrote on Twitter to his 2.2million followers.

"He had better ask God that I don't find him!! Just as I respect Argentina, you have to respect Mexico!!"

Former Manchester City and Argentina star Sergio Aguero came to the defence of Messi, who is the godfather of his son Benjamin, and told Canelo he had blown it all up out of proportion.

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"Mr Canelo, don't look for excuses and problems," Aguero replied. "You probably don't know about football and what happens in the changing room.

"The jerseys are always on the floor after a game because of the sweat. If you look closely, he makes the movement to remove his boot and accidentally hits it [the shirt]."

The result reignited Argentina’s World Cup hopes after their shock opening defeat to Saudi Arabia. They know a win against Poland in their final group game will guarantee them a place in the last 16.

Meanwhile, Mexico need to beat Saudi Arabia and hope that Argentina lose to Poland to stand any chance of qualifying.