By John Ogunsemore
Mexican boxing champion, Saúl ‘Canelo’ Álvarez has apologised to Argentine football star, Lionel Messi after lashing out at him following a clash between both nations at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0 in the group stages at the global showpiece in Qatar and a video of Messi appearing to kick a Mexican jersey in the dressing room after the game went viral.
Incensed by the video, Canelo accused Messi of disrespecting the Mexican national flag.
“Saw Messi cleaning the floor with our shirt and flag? He should ask God that I don’t find him!” the super middleweight champion wrote on social media at the time.
But speaking with Univision Frenso, the Mexican boxer explained why he decided to apologise to the eight-time Ballon D’Or winner.
“You have to admit when you’re wrong. It doesn’t make you better or worse. You have to admit when you make a mistake,” Canelo said.
He added, “The euphoria of supporting the Mexican team at the moment and to see them losing like that…. well obviously, you don’t put too much thought into your actions. But you have to recognise when you mess up and that’s it.”