'I used to admire Lionel Messi - but him messing with my country says a lot about him'
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Lionel Messi was accused of a "lack of professionalism and manners" by a former opponent following his outlandish celebration after scoring for Inter Miami. That's the opinion of former Mexico international Adolfo Bautista, who was left incensed by the 37-year-old's actions during a preseason friendly against Club America.
The Argentine played a pivotal part in Miami's penalty shoot-out victory over the Liga MX side on Sunday (January 19), where he opened the scoring. The Mexican club then scored twice to take the lead, but Tomas Aviles' 92nd-minute equaliser saw the game go to spot-kicks, and the MLS side emerged victorious.
However, it wasn't the result that took the headlines, instead the Argentine great's antics after netting the game's first goal. After celebrating with former Barcelona team-mates Luis Suarez, Sergio Busquets, and Jordi Alba, Messi turned towards the stands, spreading his arms and pointing to his jersey before gesturing three fingers to call attention to Argentina's three FIFA World Cup titles.
The decision to rile up the crowd at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas didn't go down too well with Bautista, who faced Argentina and Messi at the 2010 World Cup, where they fell to a 3-1 defeat in the knockout stages. Taking to social media to voice his displeasure with Messi, the ex-striker wrote a scathing message: "I admired you as a player. But messing with my country speaks of your lack of professionalism and manners.".
