The Argentina players went to the stands to calm the situation before returning to the dressing room
Lionel Messi believes “tragedy may have occurred” during the crowd riots that delayed Argentina’s World Cup qualifier against Brazil.
Police attacked away fans after scuffles broke out in part of the Rio de Janeiro stadium before kick-off. According to Messi, friends and family members of players were detained.
Messi and the Argentina players tried to calm the situation before returning to the dressing room.
“It was bad because we saw them hitting people,” said the 36-year-old Messi.
“We went to the locker room because that was the best way to calm everything down, it could have ended in tragedy.”
“You think about the families, the people that are there that don’t know what’s going on, and that worried us more than playing a game that was secondary at that point.”
Brazil captain Marquinhos, who was on the pitch with the Argentina players and called for calm in the stands, added: “We were worried about the families, women and children we saw panicking up there in the stands.”
“Down on the pitch it was hard for us to understand what was going on, it was a very scary situation.”
The game started 30 minutes late and world champions Argentina won 1-0 thanks to a goal from former Manchester City defender Nicolas Otamendi.
Newcastle midfielder Joelinton was sent off as Brazil lost a home World Cup qualifier for the first time.
The five-time world champions have now lost three qualifying games in a row and sit sixth in the South American qualifying table, eight points behind leaders Argentina and in the final spot that guarantees a place in the 2026 finals.
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