Messi, Argentina to boycott media in protest of Lavezzi marijuana story
Lionel Messi and the rest of his Argentina teammates are finished with the press. For now, at least.
Leading his side into a post-match press conference following the Albiceleste's crucial 3-0 victory over Colombia in Tuesday's World Cup qualifier, the captain said he and his peers will not be speaking with reporters as a means of protest.
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An Argentine reporter claimed earlier in the week that Ezequiel Lavezzi had been omitted from Edgardo Bauza's squad for the Colombia clash after he was caught smoking marijuana at the team's training base.
In a bid to protect his compatriot, Messi hit out against the claim.
"We have made the decision not to talk to the press anymore, obviously you know why," the diminutive skipper told assembled reporters Tuesday, while apologizing to those in attendance who he admitted had nothing to do with the rumour.
"There were a lot of accusations, a lot of disrespect, and the accusations they made against 'Pocho' (Lavezzi) are very serious," added the Barcelona maestro.
"We know that most of you guys don't play that game of disrespect. We can be criticised if we lose, or win, or if we play well or badly. But this is getting into personal lives.
"If we don't put a stop to it now, we'll never stop it."
Lavezzi, who plays his club football with Chinese side Hebei Fortune, has fiercely denied the claim, vowing to take legal action.