Soccer
Lionel Messi picked up the second red card of his career on Saturday’s Copa America third-place play-off against Chile. Messi was shown a direct red for his clash with Gary Medel in the first half of the match. Despite Messi being sent-off, Argentina secured the bronze medal with a 2-1 win.
Messi did not attend the Copa America medal ceremony after the match. He criticized the officials and CONMEBOL and said they favored the hosts.
“There is no doubt, the whole thing is set up for Brazil.
”I did not want to be part of this corruption, we shouldn’t have to be. I always tell the truth and I’m honest, that is what keeps me calm if what I say has repercussions that is not my business.
”I think that what happened is because of what I said [against Brazil]. What I said last time perhaps came back to haunt me. With a yellow card that was the end of it.”
The Argentine captain said.
Despite Argentina’s third-place finish, it’s been a pretty unhappy tournament for Messi. He admitted early on he was not having the tournament he wanted, had a pop at the officials after Argentina’s defeat to Brazil and finished off by picking up the second red card of his career.
