Video emerged of Argentina’s football team celebrating in their dressing room after their win over Mexico. In the video it appears Argentina’s biggest star, Lionel Messi, had cleaned the floor with a Mexican jersey. Early interpretations of the footage even expressed belief it was a flag of Mexico that Messi was disrespecting.
Naturally this angered the biggest boxing star in the world – Saul Canelo Alvarez. Alvarez proudly represents Mexico and was dismayed to learn what had transpired. But it’s unclear if he even saw the footage before he posted threats.
In his stinging criticism of player Lionel Messi, boxing icon Saul Alvarez has received a warning from UFC’s welterweight Santiago Ponzinibbio. Ponzinibbio hails out of Argentina.
Shortly after the game, a furious Canelo tweeted that Messi was “cleaning the floor with our flag.””
UFC athlete informed Canelo that he was disrespecting the whole nation of Argentina when he added in a now-deleted tweet that Messi should “pray God that I don’t find him.”
Ponzinibbio explained: “I was pissed. No point threatening Messi. Everybody knows Messi’s career. If [Canelo] doesn’t know he shouldn’t say a thing.”
“ It’s normal for players to throw jerseys on the ground, they are all sweaty, but he didn’t do anything disrespectful. Everybody that knows Messi knows he’s an impeccable athlete and a very respectful person.”
Ponzinibbio has a stellar 28-6 record in mixed martial arts. He added that he would be more than happy to protect the dignity of his country’s most adored athlete if Canelo is searching for an opponent.
Ponzinibbio said, “I was upset. Brother, if you want to fight, I’m ready, but leave Messi be. You mess with Messi, you mess with the entire Argentina. Don’t bother the kid.”
Ponzinibbio has an upcoming match against former UFC welterweight champion Robbie Lawler at the UFC 282 card in Las Vegas next month.
Canelo has since apologized for his remarks after a ton of backlash flooded his social media feeds.
