Soccer History's First 'Diplomatic Persona Non Grata' Mentioned Messi... Controversy Over Mexican Flag Desecration

Video Spreading of Stepping on Mexican Flag in Locker Room After Victory
Mexican Lawmaker Proposes Designating Messi as a 'Diplomatic Persona Non Grata'
Messi States, "I Have Never Disrespected the Mexican People or Their Uniform"

On the 27th (Korean time) at Lusail Stadium in Qatar, a scene of Messi clenching his fist during the second match of Group C in the 2022 Qatar World Cup between Argentina and Mexico. Photo by Yonhap News

[Asia Economy Culture Intern Reporter Young] Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina national team, has been embroiled in controversy for allegedly kicking the Mexican national team's uniform with his foot. In response, a Mexican House of Representatives member has called for Messi to be designated as a 'persona non grata' and banned from entering the country.

According to foreign media including Forbes on the 6th (local time), Maria Clemente Garcia, a member of the ruling party Movimiento Regeneraci?n Nacional (MORENA) in Mexico, proposed to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs that Messi be designated as 'persona non grata.'

'Persona non grata' is a diplomatic term meaning 'an unwelcome person.' According to the Vienna Convention, a government can designate certain diplomats such as ambassadors or envoys as persona non grata if it does not wish to accept them or if the individual causes problems in the host country. Once designated as persona non grata, the individual may be expelled or banned from entry, and diplomatic immunity is not recognized.

Persona non grata designations typically occur in diplomatic and international political contexts. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, there have been many such designations against Russian officials. Russia has also carried out reciprocal expulsions as retaliation.

However, it is rare to find precedents of persona non grata designations in the cultural or sports sectors.

Garcia criticized Messi's behavior in the locker room after the group stage of the Qatar World Cup on the 27th of last month. She said, "A video was released showing Messi stepping on and kicking the Mexican player's uniform lying on the floor," claiming that Messi did not respect Mexico. She added, "His actions are a clear contempt and lack of respect for Mexico and go against the spirit of fair play," demanding appropriate measures from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The controversial action by Messi was captured in a video taken in the locker room after Argentina defeated Mexico 2-0 in the second match of Group C in the 2022 FIFA Qatar World Cup at Lusail Stadium on the 27th of last month. Among the players celebrating the victory, a shirtless Messi was seen touching the Mexican uniform on the floor with his foot, which quickly spread on social media under the title "Messi kicking the Mexican uniform."

This sparked controversy over whether Messi had kicked the Mexican uniform. Mexican soccer fans criticized, saying "Messi openly disrespected Mexico," and famous Mexican boxer Canelo Alvarez warned on his Twitter, "Messi should pray that he does not catch my eye."

However, the prevailing view is that Messi's action was unintentional. A close examination of the video suggests that after the match, Messi placed the uniform shirt, presumed to have been exchanged with a Mexican player, on the floor and while taking off his soccer cleats, his foot accidentally touched the uniform as it moved forward.

Former Argentina national team player Sergio Ag?ero explained, "Soccer players take off their sweat-soaked shirts and leave them on the floor after the game. Messi accidentally touched the uniform with his foot while taking off his cleats." Mexican captain Andr?s Guardado also emphasized, "Messi's action is a common behavior among soccer players" and "there is no problem."

Regarding the controversy, Messi said, "I saw Alvarez's Twitter. This happened due to a misunderstanding," adding, "Anyone who knows me knows that I did not disrespect anyone. Of course, I did not disrespect the Mexican people, the uniform, or anything else." Messi's spokesperson also clarified in an interview with CNN on the 1st, "He did not kick or do anything like that to the Mexican uniform." Ultimately, Alvarez apologized, saying, "For a few days, I was caught up in passion for my homeland and Mexican soccer and made inappropriate remarks."