Lionel Messi has revealed another side of himself that might not sit well with some soccer fans. The Argentine star scored his first goal of the year with Inter Miami but made a "challenging" gesture toward the Mexican fans who attended the friendly match between the Florida team and Club América.

Messi’s Celebration Against América Fans

After watching Henry Martín give Las Águilas the lead, the Argentine No. 10 stepped in to equalize. During his celebration, Messi directed a gesture toward the stands, making hand signs that some reports suggest symbolized "3-0." The three represented Argentina's three World Cup victories, while the zero pointed to Mexico’s lack of any.

This detail didn’t go unnoticed. Social media was quick to react, reigniting debates and comparisons, including recalling the day Cristiano Ronaldo expressed solidarity with Mexico, once again contrasting the attitudes of the two football icons.

The Day Cristiano Ronaldo Showed Solidarity with Mexico

“A strong and heartfelt hug for Mexico,” was the message Cristiano Ronaldo posted on his X account in September 2017, following a devastating earthquake that struck Mexico.

Thousands of users thanked the Portuguese star for his kind gesture, a moment that continues to be used to fuel comparisons between Messi and the Al-Nassr player.

Rising Rivalry Between Mexico and Argentina

The rivalry between Mexico and Argentina has been steadily growing. It’s enough to recall the numerous clashes between fans of both nations during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Messi’s Changing Reactions

Messi has transitioned from being a calm, almost silent figure to one of the most fiery and expressive players in this later stage of his career.

The now-famous “What are you looking at, fool?” phrase, which Messi uttered during a heated exchange with Wout Weghorst after Argentina faced the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup, is another example of the Argentine showing a bolder and more provocative side.