Lionel Messi slams Uruguay players for making offensive gestures in World Cup Qualifier match

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Lionel Messi condemns Uruguay players

Lionel Messi has come out strongly to condemn Uruguay players for making rather lewd gestures during their game against Argentina on November 17.

Uruguay stunned Argentina with late goals in each half from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez, lifting them over the world champions.

It was only the second time in over four years that the Albiceleste were losing a match and the first time they conceded a goal since the World Cup final.

The Clásico del Río de la Plata was fiercely contested, with every tackle taking the game to the edge. Messi, who often does his talking with his feet, was uncharacteristically involved in the pushing and shoving in the 19th minute.

The skipper was spotted using his elbow to push Mathias Olivera away before grabbing the Napoli defender by the throat.

Manuel Ugarte then got into it with Rodrigo De Paul and Enzo Fernandez, with the former shoving him away. The Paris Saint-Germain midfielder appeared to make an offensive gesture to De Paul.

Speaking after the game, Messi declined to go into details of what exactly transpired but asked the Uruguay players to be more mindful with their gestures.

"I prefer not to say what I think about some gestures. But these young people have to learn to respect their elders. This game was always intense and hard, but always with a lot of respect. They have to learn a little bit," he said, as quoted by Albiceleste Talk.

Argentina will have an instant chance to make amends next week when they take on a limping Brazil at the Maracana as Uruguay take their resurgence under Marcelo Bielsa to Bolivia.