Messi was observed gesturing towards the commotion and engaging in a conversation with the match officials before ultimately opting to exit the field alongside his fellow teammates.
The commencement of the Brazil vs Argentina FIFA World Cup qualifying match faced a 30-minute postponement as a result of conflicts between opposing fans at Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana Stadium. The highly awaited showdown between these two dominant forces in South American football was scheduled to commence at 6 AM (IST), but encountered a delay due to disruptions within the spectator area.
The Argentina team, led by Lionel Messi, walked off the pitch after clashes erupted in the stands of the Maracana stadium. As the players were lined up for their national anthems, cameras captured the disturbing sight of Brazil and Argentina fans exchanging blows. This shocked the footballers on the field. The situation escalated further when the police intervened and resorted to using batons to control the crowd. Messi, visibly pointing towards the scuffle, consulted with the match officials and then made the decision to leave the pitch with his teammates. He was heard saying, “We’re not playing, we’re leaving.” Shortly after, Argentina’s players returned to the field and the match resumed. For many Argentinians, the journey towards winning their country’s latest World Cup title began at the Maracana Stadium more than two years ago, when they defeated Brazil in the Copa America final. Both teams are entering this match after suffering defeats in the previous round of qualifying. Argentina currently leads the South American qualifying group with 12 points, followed by Uruguay with 10 points. Colombia and Venezuela also have respectable standings. Brazil, currently in fifth place, will be hosting the World Cup champions with seven points. The top six teams from South America will have direct entry into the 2026 World Cup, which will take place in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, and will feature 48 teams.