Lionel Messi was spotted telling the referee to ‘speak to me with respect’ in a heated exchange during Argentina’s clash with Switzerland this morning.
The incident occurred during the 42nd minute of the South Americans’ 3-1 victory over the Swiss when Messi confronted Portuguese official Joao Pinheiro.
The pair’s conversation was picked up by broadcasters and, in a moment which went viral on social media, the Argentinian captain was heard telling the referee: ‘Speak respectfully, don’t be disrespectful. Speak to me respectfully. I spoke to you respectfully.’
It came with the Argentinians 1-0 up on the brink of half-time in Kansas City thanks
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