The controversy between Canelo Alvarez and Lionel Messi on Twitter added a new chapter this Monday night, in an unexpected space. The Mexican boxer spoke exclusively for the World Cup comedy show "Qué importa el Mundial" of the Mexican channel Imagen Televisión.
There he explained the reasons for his anger against the Argentinean star for sullifying a symbol that Mexicans respect (although it is not official), such as the jersey of one of the Mexican national teams.
Why is Canelo upset with Messi?
"The context is this: with the fans you can't control when their emotion overflows and they can throw the flag, throw the jersey whatever. That we can't control, because it's an overflowing fanaticism. But I represent a country or a Nation and if I fight against an Argentinean I can't grab their flag and trample on it," Saul Alvarez said.
Therefore, Canelo considers that Messi's action, although it was not intended to mock Mexicans or is a gesture of superiority after Saturday's match in Lusail, is not a good example for sportsmen of global impact, as they are:
"We are setting a very fucking example, in very bad taste. One that is an example for a nation, for some children, for many people. We have to set an example and since the shirt is on the ground, there is a lack of respect," Canelo Alvarez said.
Would Canelo forgive Messi with an apology?
Journalist Javier Alarcón alluded to some of those who intervened in the controversy who explained to the boxer that, in the soccer environment, this type of acts are not seen badly or considered an affront, so he asked him if "an apology from Messi or the Argentine Football Association, would be enough":
"It's not that, I have no need for him to say it (an apology). The truth is that I don't expect that and I'm not going to expect it. But what I said is the person I am. I will always defend my country, I don't care," Canelo said. "I would just tell him what it is: 'you screwed up, asshole, and accept it and apologize,' period, and if not, I'll slap him in the fucking face and that's it."