"I don't know if they are hurt by Messi and the World Cup" - Argentina rugby star on France fans booing the team at 2024 Olympics
Argentina international rugby player, Marcos Monetta reacted to the boos from France fans at the Olympics, believing Lionel Messi's World Cup win over Les Bleus might be to blame. The West-European nation is hosting this summer's games in Paris, two years after they fell in the FIFA World Cup final to Los Albiceleste in Qatar.
The 2018 World Cup winners and their 2022 successors began a rivalry in the lead-up to their clash in the last edition of the competition. Fans of the Copa America winners started a controversial chant at their opponents' expense.
To add insult to injury, the Argentina players repeated the song after they recently defended their Copa America crown with their final victory over Colombia. Monetta, seemingly unaware of the reason for the France fans' behaviour, said:
"I love the atmosphere, we enjoyed it a lot. I don't know if they are hurt by Messi and the World Cup or because they don't like us. Maybe they're scared of us."
Argentina has won four consecutive major tournaments on the bounce and will be keen to make it five at the 2026 edition where they defend their crown. Lionel Messi, currently 37, will be 39 at the tournament if he represents his country.
World Cup-winning goalkeeper slams Lionel Messi's Argentina teammates for France chants
Lionel Messi's 2022 World Cup-winning Argentina teammates and runner-ups France were in the news following an Instagram live video posted by midfielder Enzo Fernandez. In the video, France’s Kylian Mbappe was allegedly the target of ‘racist’ and 'homophobic' chants by the Argentine team.
Football stars took to social media to express their opinion on Argentina’s behaviour, with Fernandez’s teammate, Wesley Fofana, being a loud voice in condemnation of the act.
Former France captain Hugo Lloris said he was appalled by the behavior the Argentines displayed, saying (BBC Sports):
“You don't want to hear or see this kind of thing in football. We all stand against discrimination and racism.”
Fernandez released an apology after the video went viral and is currently under investigation by both his club and FIFA with his national team.
Political figures in the South American nation have dismissed the claims by France and vice president Victoria Villarreul supported her team. Presidential spokesman Manuel Adorni said, according to The Economic Times:
“Diplomatic relations with France are intact”
Before the incident, President Javier Milei was due to attend the opening ceremony of the 2024 Olympics. Lionel Messi was not seen in the controversial video shared by the Chelsea midfielder.