Lionel Messi warned Argentina stars not to 'pick on anyone' before Enzo Fernandez & Co's 'racist' chant aimed at France after Copa America success, says Rodrigo De Paul

Following Argentina's Copa America triumph over Colombia, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez shared a live stream in which he and some team-mates sang a 'racist and homophobic' song aimed at France. Amid the backlash towards their behaviour, De Paul says Messi previously told his team-mates not to rub victory in the faces of their opponents following their historic win over Brazil last year in World Cup qualifying. It seems those words were not heeded with this discriminatory chant, however.

When Argentina beat Brazil last year, the midfielder said to Clarin of Messi: "Leo didn't let us sing songs to Brazil on the pitch because he knows how everything works. Then in the hotel, in private, it's a different story and he gets on top of the table."

Then, following their Copa America triumph, he said: "On the Colombian side they said that Messi and [Angel Di Maria] were no longer the same and we wanted to go and look for them as soon as we won. Leo told us: 'Nobody is going to pick on anyone, now we are going to celebrate'."

Finally, De Paul added: "Enzo's thing is because one doesn't analyse the song on the pitch, it's pure chicanery. I understand that there are people who suffer racism and other issues. I think they could have sent him a private message and told him directly. You call him and tell him that it might bother you, you don't stop following him and you put on such a show. The song is because we were there, people sing it too."

As a result of this song, Chelsea have opened an investigation into Fernandez - who subsequently apologised for his actions. The French Football Federation is considering legal action and an Argentine minister was sacked after suggesting Messi should apologise, despite not joining in on the chants.

Fernandez is set to meet up with the Chelsea squad in the coming weeks for pre-season, but many of his team-mates are said to be 'very angry' at his actions. It remains to be seen what action will be brought against the midfielder.