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Angry, Lionel Messi skipped the Copa America medal ceremony and accused the referees of "corruption" after Argentina's failure to win the tournament and its rare red card at the Saturday's 2-1 win over Chile in third place in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
A few minutes before half-time, Messi clashed with Gary Medel after the Chilean defender kept the ball out of goal close to goal. Both players banged their breasts aggressively several times before match referee Mauro Diaz de Vivar intervened and immediately sent a red card for both players.
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The red right marked the first time that the Barcelona striker was excluded in a senior match for a club or a country since his debut with the national team against Hungary in 2005.
After the match, Messi, who had not collected the medal for third place with his teammates, tore up the referee, suggesting that his red card was the result of his severe criticism against officials after the defeat in the semifinals against Brazil, in which Argentina saw two requests for sanction denied.
"It's a game that happens often. [Medel] always play at the limit. I think the referee reacted excessively. With a yellow card for both of us, everything would be over, "he said.
"I feel a lot of anger because I think I did not deserve this red card because I think we were playing a very good game. We were early but, as I said recently, there is unfortunately a lot The referees … We leave with the feeling that they did not allow us to be in the final, we were ready to improve, the match of Brazil and today's were our two best performance, but when you're sincere, you say things and these things happen. "
When asked directly if his red card was the result of his previous complaints, Messi replied, "Yes, unfortunately, yes, you can not be honest and you can not say how things should be done."
Due to the expulsion, Messi is likely to be suspended for the qualifying match for the Argentina World Cup in March. He said that he was not concerned about an additional ban for his comments after the match.
"They can do what they want, the truth must be told," he said. "I leave calmly, proud and proud of this group that gave everything and grew throughout the tournament.
"I hope this group is respected and that people support them because they have a lot to give as they have shown at these games."
Messi added that he was really expecting the host country, the Brazilian, to beat Peru in the final on Sunday in Rio de Janeiro to win his first Copa crown since 2007.
"I think there is no doubt, unfortunately I think it is prepared for Brazil [to win it]Messi said: "I hope that the VAR and the referees have nothing to do and that Peru can compete because he has the team to win, but I see that C & D Is difficult. "
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