FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifiers: Brazil's Rodrigo receives racial abuse online after argument with Lionel Messi

Brazil forward Rodrigo De Paul says he was racially abused on social media following a heated argument with Argentina's Lionel Messi during the World Cup qualifier between the two teams on Tuesday.

The pair exchanged words on the pitch as a World Cup qualifier between the sides in Rio de Janeiro was delayed by 30 minutes because of violent clashes between police and visiting fans.

Two days after Brazil lost 1-0 to Argentina, Rodrigo on Thursday, took to Instagram to reveal that he had received messages with emojis of monkeys and bananas.

"My social networks were invaded with insults," Rodrigo wrote on Instagram.

"If we don't do what they want, if we don't behave as they think we should, if we wear something that annoys them, if we don't lower our heads when they attack us, if we occupy spaces they think are theirs alone, the racists will act out their criminal behaviour.

"Racists are always on duty. Bad luck for them. We won't stop."

During Tuesday's face-off, Messi was seen involved in a heated interaction with Brazil captain Marquinhos and Rodrigo before several Argentina players tried to calm the developing situation in the stands at Maracana Stadium, BBC reported.

Brazil forward Vinicius Jr, who was forced by his injury to miss the Argentina game, supported his teammate on X, formerly known as Twitter and Instagram after the striker broke his silence over receiving racial abuse online.

Vinicius took to both social media platforms to support his friend by posting: "We will not stop."