Skip to content

Tevez denies Messi fall-out rumour: 'A rivalry is being created where there isn't one'

Marcos Brindicci / Reuters

Nothing to see here, people.

Speaking ahead of Argentina's opening match at the Copa America, Carlos Tevez once again denied rumours of a fall-out between himself and Lionel Messi.

The reports were constant during former manager Alejandro Sabella's tenure, stating that issues between Tevez and Messi were the reason for the former's omission from La Albiceleste.

"He who doesn't love Messi knows nothing about football or about life," Tevez told the Copa America's official website. "More than that, I don't know what's going on in their heads."

Tevez and Messi took the pitch on opposite ends one week ago in the Champions League final and were seen talking with their hands covering their mouths, inevitably triggering further suggestions of a rift. Messi immediately dismissed those insinuations, and Tevez followed suit Saturday.

"A rivalry is being created where there isn't one, and Argentine football ends up damaged, but that is what sells," Tevez told Clarin, according to ESPN FC. "(A story saying) 'Tevez friend of Messi' doesn't sell; 'Messi an enemy of Tevez,' yes. That is what they do - they speak more of a non-friendship than the actual friendship the two of us have, no?"

He added: "With Messi we laughed at everything that was said. We know that with a look or hug we have already said thousands of things to each other. It's not necessary to say anything.

"We naturally speak to each other, like before the Champions League final. We also met up with each other after the World Cup - we greeted each other with a hug and we stayed for two hours talking about the world of football.

"I know him very well and he knows me since the beginning. I know how he goes about things and he knows how I do things. That makes us trust each other. Everything that was said was all media hype. You can see that it sells, but the one hurt by it is the national team."

Argentina opens up its Copa America campaign versus Paraguay on Saturday at the Estadio La Portada de La Serena. Just how Tevez will be worked back into La Albiceleste's attacking equation remains to be seen.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox