Lionel Messi called ‘possessed dwarf' by Monterrey coach as Nico Sanchez claims Inter Miami star had 'face of the devil' in shocking leaked audio after tunnel confrontation

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner played no part in the first leg of Inter Miami's CONCACAF Champions Cup quarter-final tie with Mexican opposition. He did, however, form part of a group – including Luis Suarez, Jordi Alba and Tata Martino – that clashed with opposition players and coaches following a 2-1 win for Monterrey at Chase Stadium.

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Messi and Co are said to have headed for the room that houses the match officials, after taking issue with a number of big decisions, while words were aimed in the direction of Monterrey boss Fernando Ortiz following pre-game comments in which he suggested that Inter Miami would benefit from favourable decisions if their iconic No.10 played.

In the wake of that argument, audio has been leaked through FOX Sports MX, with Sanchez saying: “The dwarf was possessed, he had the face of the devil. He put his fist next to my face and says: ‘Who do you think you are?’ But because I didn’t look at him, I was looking away, I never answered back, it made things worse. And Tata Martino, what a poor dummy, I had him in front of me telling me: ‘Fool, you going to cry? Fool you going to cry?’ What a dummy! All those videos, they probably erased them all because it leaves them looking bad. What they did was really serious. They want to dirty the pitch.”

Monterrey have requested that CONCACAF look into the heated exchange, but assistant coach Sanchez has apologised for some of his comments – with the Argentine saying, while overlooking fellow countryman Messi: “Since I do not know the Inter coach, Gerardo Martino, and I referred to him in a disrespectful manner, I apologise. I am as Argentine as all of them and I will always defend my club. I’m here to show my face and take charge.”

Inter Miami and Monterrey will lock horns again on Wednesday, with Messi expected to be included in the Herons’ starting XI for that contest after making his return from injury off the bench in a 2-2 MLS draw with the Colorado Rapids.