Argentina star Rodrigo De Paul has confirmed that Lionel Messi doesn’t mind the chants performed by the Tango players, as long as they are away from the cameras.
The French Football Federation has lodged a complaint against its Argentine counterpart following a video during Argentina’s Copa America 2024 celebrations filled with racist chants against the French.
When asked about Messi’s opinion on the matter, being his closest teammate in Argentina, De Paul replied, “Messi refuses to participate in these chants on the field because he knows what would happen, he made that clear to us when we beat Brazil in 2021.”
He added, “The situation is completely different in the hotel and closed rooms, Messi gets on the table and sings like any other player.”
Regarding the recent video where Messi did not participate, De Paul said, “I understand people’s sensitivity to racism, but everyone sings that song including the fans, we don’t endorse the songs on the field.”
He concluded, “Our intention certainly wasn’t racist, and if Enzo’s teammates were upset about it, they should talk to him instead of what they did, it was really strange.”
Chelsea has decided to punish Enzo for these chants, while many players, including Wesley Fofana, have unfollowed him publicly, accusing him of blatant racism, before the Argentine came out and apologized.
