Brazil striker Rodrygo says he faced volley of racist abuse after on-field spat with Lionel Messi during WC qualifier

Two days after the World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Brazil saw noisy scenes and a delay of 30 minutes at the Maracana Stadium in Rio De Janeiro, Brazilian striker Rodrygo has said that he was hit with a barrage of racial abuses on social media.

Rodrygo attracted attention online after he had an altercation with Argentina players Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul during the delay caused by fights between fans, police and security guards in the stands of the Maracana Stadium in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday.

Rodrygo, who is Black, on Thursday wrote that his "social networks have been invaded with insults and all kinds of absurdity" following the spat. "It's all there for everyone to see," he wrote.

"The racists are always on duty ... always out there," the 22-year-old Rodrygo wrote. He said that many of the racist messages included photos and emoticons of monkeys or bananas.

"If we don't do what they want, if we don't behave as they think we should, if we wear something that bothers them, if we don't lower our heads when we are attacked, if we occupy spaces that they think are theirs alone, racists take action with his criminal behavior. Their bad luck. We will not stop," he wrote.


Messi was seen interacting with Brazil captain Marquinhos and Rodrygo before several Argentina players tried to calm the developing situation in the stands at Maracana Stadium. After noisy scenes and delay, Argentina went on to win the qualifier 1-0.

The qualifier between the two South American football giants was scheduled to begin at 9:30 pm local time (0030 GMT Wednesday) but hit a delay after rival supporters clashed in the stands. Disturbances erupted after local fans and Argentinian supporters clashed during the national anthem ceremony, prompting Brazilian police to intervene. The guests, in turn, responded by tearing up seats and hurling them at the officers.

The Argentine squad, led by captain Lionel Messi, decided to leave the field as the Brazilian police stepped in to intervene, using batons to disperse fans at one end of the stadium.

Messi was also captured on camera appearing to say, "We're not playing, we're leaving," as he turned around with his teammates. He approached the terraces before eventually leaving the pitch and returning to the dressing room.