Lionel Messi is likely to end his career in Argentina and we’d be surprised if he doesn’t feature for his boyhood club of Newell’s Old Boys at some stage before he retires.
The football rivalry in the South American country is intense to say the very least, and it was expected that Messi would receive some ire directed his way as Barcelona faced River Plate in the Club World Cup final on Sunday.
The Argentine scored in the 3-0 triumph, but heading home though the Narita International Airport in Tokyo afterwards one fan directed shocking abuse at arguably the best player in the world.
Spanish newspaper Marca reported that as Messi was making his way through the airport one disgusting fan decided to spit at the player.
Lamentable incidente en el aeropuerto. Suerte que Leo ha reaccionado bien @sport pic.twitter.com/x4EBIDn60V
— Joan Vehils (@jvehils) December 21, 2015
Un afiicionado argentino ha escupido a Messi en el aeropuerto!!! pic.twitter.com/o4cQp0kn3V
— Joan Vehils (@jvehils) December 21, 2015
Various reports suggest that Messi was defended by a number of his teammates including Luis Suarez and Javier Mascherano as well as manager Luis Enrique.
Despite the insult & spat incident, Leo Messi did not mind taking selfie with a River Plate fan pic.twitter.com/vHUhuElxXE
— ARG Soccer News ™ 🇦🇷⚽⭐️⭐️⭐️🏆 (@ARG_soccernews) December 21, 2015
River Plate fans spat on Messi? Man when will these Argentinian fans change? They don't deserve Messi tbh. Disgrace.
— Darshan (@realmadrasi) December 21, 2015