The relationship between Lionel Messi and Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher became tense after a text message exchange between the two.
Lionel Messi, known for his calm and composed demeanor, took an unusual step by directly scolding Carragher via text message.
Carragher shared the moment he was scolded by Messi
This incident stemmed from Carragher’s criticism of Messi and his expressed disappointment with Paris Saint-Germain’s (PSG) unsuccessful campaign to conquer the Champions League.
Messi, who had recently transferred to PSG from Barcelona, couldn’t tolerate the criticism and responded by sending Carragher a text message in which he referred to him as a “donkey.”
During a commentary on CBS, Carragher revealed the details of his exchange with Messi. Former Manchester City player Micah Richards questioned Carragher about the text message, and Carragher openly admitted that Messi had indeed texted him. Without hesitation, Carragher took out his mobile phone and read the message aloud.
In a light-hearted manner, Carragher sarcastically asked the members of the CBS studio, including Richards, Thierry Henry, and host Kate Abdo, whether the message was in the Spanish language used by Argentines.
Messi is a famous and benign player
Carragher then proceeded to share the specific message that Messi used to refer to him: “Lionel Messi called me a donkey. I’m not entirely sure what it means, before humorously explaining that he believed the word ‘Burro’ translates to ‘Donkey’.”
Carragher’s recounting of the incident elicited laughter from those in the studio, and he concluded by saying: “Thank you.”
This tension between Messi and Carragher arose after Carragher criticized Messi’s move to PSG in 2021, a noteworthy transfer given Messi’s long-standing association with Barcelona. Messi, upon learning of Carragher’s comments, chose to directly express his views to the former Liverpool midfielder.
Following his move to PSG, Messi won two Ligue 1 championships, but the club’s quest to win the Champions League remained unfulfilled. Disappointment among PSG fans grew, particularly after the team’s early exit from the Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid in early 2022, during which Karim Benzema scored a hat-trick.
The disappointment of PSG fans reached its peak following the team’s Champions League elimination and was further exacerbated by their underwhelming performance.
Lionel Messi currently plays football at Inter Miami
PSG fans directed their frustration toward Messi and Neymar. However, at that time, PSG’s coach, Mauricio Pochettino, attributed the loss to incorrect refereeing decisions.
Lionel Messi has since moved to the United States to play for Inter Miami after leaving PSG on a free transfer in the summer. Messi reflected on his time at PSG and his complex relationship with the fans, saying:
“Well, I think at first it was something great, like the reception I had when I arrived in Paris. But then some people started treating me differently, a part of PSG fans.”
