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

Argentina's 2022 World Cup triumph was characterised by team spirit and unity, but that doesn't mean that Messi got on well with all of his team-mates. According to the 'A La Tarde' programme on Tartu TV, the Argentina captain was angered by a comment Papu Gomez made about his wife Antonela Roccuzzo.

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 panelist said: "Everyone is happy because they progressed, everyone in the locker room starts to sing. What does Alejandro El Papu say? 'Hand overAntonela!'

"ImagineMessi's laser eyes... Immediate red card!"

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, Gomez was banned from playing for two years after failing an anti-doping test.

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.