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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>Rodrygo and De Paul in heated discussion</li><li>Messi comes to aid of Argentina team-mate</li><li>Albiceleste go on to celebrate 1-0 win over rivals</li></ul>

WATCH: 'Watch your mouth!' - Lionel Messi rages at Rodrygo for 'cowards' jibe after running to back up Rodrigo De Paul in heated exchange as Argentina return to the pitch following 30-minute kick-off delay vs Brazil

Tuesday's World Cup qualifier was <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/brawl-in-crowd-forces-delay-of-argentina-s-world-cup-qualifier-at-brazil-as-lionel-messi-leads-team-mates-into-dressing-room/blt947098ee482259d6" target="_blank">pushed back half-an-hour following clashes with Albiceleste supporters</a> at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana stadium - and the hostilities didn't end there. Immediately after the players returned to the pitch, De Paul and Rodrygo could be seen in deep - and antagonistic - conversation, before Messi rushed over to support his Argentina colleague.

WHAT HAPPENED?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">CLIMA CALIENTE: Messi y Rodrygo, cara a cara en el Maracaná antes del arranque del encuentro. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EliminatoriasEnTyCSports?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EliminatoriasEnTyCSports</a> <a href="https://t.co/vV3FNGXrnJ">pic.twitter.com/vV3FNGXrnJ</a>— TyC Sports (@TyCSports) <a href="https://twitter.com/TyCSports/status/1727129806842528020?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">November 22, 2023</a></blockquote>
<script async="" src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

WATCH THE CLIP

According to reports from <a href="https://www.tycsports.com/seleccion-argentina/video-el-tenso-cruce-de-messi-con-rodrygo-en-brasil-vs-seleccion-argentina-id549082.html" target="_blank">TyC Sports</a>, Rodrygo accused Messi, De Paul and Argentina of being "cowards", after the Albiceleste captain threatened a walk-off due to continued brutality from Brazilian police. In response, Messi is said to have retorted: "We are the world champions, why are we cowards? Watch your mouth."

WHAT THEY SAID

The match was eventually played despite the initial lengthy delay, and a Nicolas Otamendi goal was enough to <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/brazil-player-ratings-vs-argentina-raphinha/blt2f0ab1ff4258d375" target="_blank">consign Brazil to their third straight defeat</a> and their first ever at home in World Cup qualifying. The rivalry was far from over after the full time whistle, as <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-calls-end-crazy-repression-argentina-fans-brazil-crowd-violence-albiceleste-victory-maracana/blt01adf7b6e85e9638" target="_blank">Messi took to Instagram to call out the "crazy" violence</a> suffered by Argentina fans at the hands of Brazilian authorities.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The Albiceleste captain will be celebrating his team bouncing back from their defeat to Uruguay in their last outing, meaning they sit top of the CONMEBOL table - a massive five places ahead of their bitter rivals. Messi will now enjoy a rest period ahead of a return to club football with Inter Miami next year, although an all-star match-up against Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr in February <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/lionel-messi-vs-cristiano-ronaldo-off-inter-miami-issue-statement/blt3a5a7069cd263648" target="_blank">has been disputed by his employers</a>.

WHAT NEXT FOR MESSI?

WATCH: 'Watch your mouth!' - Lionel Messi rages at Rodrygo after running to back up Rodrigo De Paul in heated exchange as Argentina return to the pitch following 30-minute kick-off delay vs Brazil | Goal.com English Saudi Arabia

Lionel Messi raged at Brazil forward Rodrygo while backing up Argentina team-mate Rodrigo De Paul after a delayed start to the game at the Maracana. 

WATCH: &apos;Watch your mouth!&apos; - Lionel Messi rages at Rodrygo for &apos;cowards&apos; jibe after running to back up Rodrigo De Paul in heated exchange as Argentina return to the pitch following 30-minute kick-off delay vs Brazil