Mexico striker Raul Jimenez risks wrath of fans as he makes feelings clear with response about Lionel Messi downplaying Argentina rivalry

Mexico and Fulham striker Raul Jimenez has opened up on Lionel Messi's comments regarding the rivalry between Mexico and Argentina. Messi recently commented on the rivalry between the two nations and claimed there should be no comparison between them.

Lionel Messi claimed that he is unsure where the rivalry had come from and insisted that he always felt adored by Mexico fans. The Argentine captain said in an interview with the program Simplemente Fútbol broadcast on YouTube, as quoted by ESPN:

"They put themselves in a position of having a rivalry with us that doesn't really exist. There's no comparison between Argentina and Mexico, and I don't know where that came from."

The Inter Miami superstar added:

"I don't know what happened to the Mexicans, when that rivalry, that anger, started. I always felt very loved by the people of Mexico; I never disrespected anyone."

Now, Fulham striker Raul Jimenez has risked the wrath of Mexico supporters by speaking his mind on the controversy. He has claimed that Argentina are a much bigger team at the international level who have achieved a lot more over the years. He said, as quoted by Sport Witness:

“Yes, there is a rivalry with the Argentine national team, but it’s more between the Mexicans and the Argentines. They’ve beaten Mexico most of the time. They have a longer history in football. They’ve always gone further in important tournaments, as they won the last World Cup."

Jimenez added:

“I think Messi is right to a certain extent. I don’t know where the rivalry came from. It’s not to disparage Mexico or anything like that, because I’m obviously Mexican and I want to be at the top. He’s right.”

Over the years, Lionel Messi has played six times against Mexico, winning on five occasions and drawing once. He has four goals and three assists against El Tri over the years.

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Inter Miami star opens up on his decision to join Lionel Messi's side

Inter Miami defender Maximiliano Falcon has revealed the reason behind his decision to join the Herons. The 28-year-old Uruguayan defender left Chilean side Colo-Colo to join the MLS side on February 1, 2025.

Falcon has so far featured 17 times for Inter Miami and has been a solid addition to the side. In a recent interview with El Pais, he has claimed that he joined the club to learn from footballers who have achieved everything at the highest level. He said:

“I had earned an important place there (Colo-Colo) but I preferred to come here [Inter Miami] to learn from people who have won everything.”

While speaking about his teammate Lionel Messi, Falcon said:

"He's a normal person like us, but it's shocking to see him because for me, he's the best player of all time. I enjoy being next to him and I think: 'This guy has almost 900 goals, he's a world champion and he has eight Ballon d'Or; it's crazy.'"

He added:

"I told him, 'You are world champion and you have eight Ballon d'Or, but I won the Copa de Chile with Colo-Colo and you don't, ha.' Leo started laughing along with Luis Suárez and replied, 'No, I don't have that one, ha.' That speaks of his simplicity, and both he and Luis have behaved super well as the entire Inter Miami squad.'"

Falcon has shared the pitch with Lionel Messi on 15 occasions so far. The two are yet to combine for a goal for Inter Miami.