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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Messi angered by comment about wife</li><li>Papu Gomez the alleged culprit</li><li>Incident occured during 2022 World Cup</li></ul>

‘Laser eyes’ - Why Lionel Messi was left raging with Argentina team-mate during 2022 World Cup after inappropriate comment about wife Antonela Roccuzzo

World Cup Qualification CONMEBOL

Argentina

Peru

Argentina's <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/release-date-how-to-watch-messi-world-cup-rise-of-legend-documentary/blt7f566981781a3098" target="_blank">2022 World Cup triumph</a> was characterised by team spirit and unity, but that doesn't mean that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/player/l-messi/c5ryhn04g9goikd0blmh83aol" target="_blank">Messi</a> got on well with all of his team-mates. According to the 'A La Tarde' programme on Tartu TV, the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/team/argentina/ak48fkypnql8y4n69cvcq5ghc" target="_blank">Argentina</a> captain was angered by a comment Papu Gomez made about his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">🚨 ¿Qué pasa con el Papu Gómez? 👉 Los detalles del conflicto entre el futbolista y el resto de la Selección Argentina. Cc <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ALaTarde?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ALaTarde</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/JotaxTV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jotaxTV</a> <a href="https://t.co/Ml6lJp2wYw">pic.twitter.com/Ml6lJp2wYw</a>— América TV (@AmericaTV) <a href="https://twitter.com/AmericaTV/status/1736840964990247111?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2023</a></blockquote>
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WHAT HAPPENED?

A panelist on the show alleged that as the Argentina players celebrated in the dressing room following one of their games in Qatar, Gomez made the comment.The <a href="https://www.marca.com/en/football/mls/2023/12/19/6581e82e268e3e425e8b456c.html" target="_blank">panelist said</a>: "Everyone is happy because they progressed, everyone in the locker room starts to sing. What does Alejandro El Papu say? 'Hand over&nbsp;Antonela!'"Imagine&nbsp;Messi's laser eyes... Immediate red card!"

WHAT PAPU GOMEZ SAID

This isn't the first controversy Monza midfielder Gomez has faced this year. The 35-year-old was accused of performing witchcraft on Argentine teammate Giovani Lo Celso, whose spot he took in the World Cup squad due to injury. In October, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/lionel-messi-world-cup-winning-team-mate-papu-gomez-two-year-ban-failed-drugs-test-blamed-kids-cough-syrup/bltf607f817bf0b996a" target="_blank">Gomez was banned from playing for two years</a> after failing an anti-doping test.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Gomez may well have played the last football of his career. Meanwhile, Messi can look forward to the 2024 MLS season with Inter Miami and the chance to defend Argentina's Copa America crown next summer.

WHAT NEXT FOR GOMEZ AND MESSI?

‘Laser eyes’ - Why Lionel Messi was left raging with Argentina team-mate during 2022 World Cup after inappropriate comment about wife Antonela Roccuzzo | Goal.com Australia

Lionel Messi was left furious at the World Cup when an Argentina team-mate allegedly made an inappropriate comment about his wife.