Rodrygo 'banned' from speaking about Lionel Messi incident after 'coward' comment

Real Madrid star Rodrygo has joked he has been banned from speaking about Lionel Messi following a confrontation with the Argentine superstar on international duty.

Rodrygo, 22, clashed with Messi, 36, during Brazil's heated World Cup qualifier against Argentina earlier this month.

The world champions ran out 1-0 winners at the Maracana thanks to Nicolas Otamendi's header in the second-half, but the game was marred by incidents on and off the pitch.

Crowd trouble ahead of kick-off forced the fixture being delayed by half an hour after rival fans and police clashed inside the stadium.

Both sets of players attempted to calm the situation but after Emiliano Martinez pleaded with police to stop the violence, Lionel Messi led his players down the tunnel.

The two teams later re-emerged from their dressing rooms before Rodrygo reportedly aimed a dig at the Argentina players.

Reports in Brazil claimed he said: "You are acting like cowards, don't you want to play the game?"

To which Messi was reported to have replied: "We are the world champions, how are we cowards? Keep your mouth, watch your mouth."

Rodrygo's father later took to Instagram to call out Messi, posting: "Is anyone surprised. The saint that doesn't mess with anyone."

Rodrgyo was asked about the incident following Real Madrid's 4-2 win over Napoli in the Champions League on Wednesday night, but the Brazilian remained tight-lipped.

Messi and Rodrygo clashed on international duty (Image: Getty)

"I can't talk about that, Madrid won't let me," he joked to reporters.

Rodrgyo has impressed this season scoring eight goals and providing five assists in 19 games in all competitions for Real Madrid.

When asked about his recent upturn in form, Rodrygo added: "I can't explain the change, but I have to keep working.

"I worked when things weren't going well for me and now that they are going well, it's the same thing. You have to keep working.

"I want to continue on the good run and forget what happened."

Topics: Rodrygo, Brazil, Argentina, Lionel Messi, Real Madrid, Inter Miami, Football

Rory O'Callaghan

Rory O'Callaghan is Editorial Lead at SPORTbible. He has previously worked for Sky Sports News, MailOnline and Reach covering football, cricket, boxing and MMA. Tested daily as a Liverpool fan in a Manchester office.

@rory_ocallaghan