A year and a half after the controversy with Lionel Messi after Mexico’s defeat against Argentina in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, the boxer clarified in an interview why he publicly recanted

A year and a half after the controversy that arose between Mexican boxer Saúl “Canelo” Álvarez and Argentine soccer player Lionel Messi after Mexico’s defeat against Argentina in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Canelo once again referred to that incident, although just to clarify why he publicly recanted.

The episode began when, upset by El Tri’s defeat, Canelo Álvarez became even more uncomfortable when he saw a Mexican national team jersey on the floor of the Argentine locker room. This led him to write some tweets against Messi, in which he highlighted some warnings.

Canelo’s publications generated great controversy worldwide, despite the fact that Messi minimized the situation, stating that he did not have to “apologize” since “I did not disrespect the Mexico shirt or anyone.”

Hours later, Canelo reflected on his behavior, recognizing that it had not been appropriate. In addition to deleting his posts, he offered a public apology. Since then, he had not addressed the incident.

In a recent interview for Univisión Fresno, Canelo Álvarez was asked about the reason for his apology. He reiterated that he had made a mistake with his reaction, without going into too much detail. “You have to recognize when you make a mistake, it doesn’t make you more or less. You have to recognize when you do it. The euphoria of seeing Mexico lose… With emotions you don’t pay attention to what you are doing, you have to recognize when you water it and nothing happens,” he explained.

The context of the incident dates back to a moment of high emotional tension. Mexico’s loss to Argentina at the 2022 Qatar World Cup was a hard blow for Mexican fans, and Canelo, like many others, gave in to frustration. However, his status as a public figure amplified the impact of his words, generating a controversy that transcended borders.

Lionel Messi, for his part, approached the situation calmly and measuredly, downplaying Canelo’s comments and preventing the controversy from escalating further. His response, characterized by serenity, contrasted with the boxer’s initial reaction, underlining the difference in the management of emotions in the heat of the moment.

Canelo’s clarification of his apology underscores the importance of self-criticism and humility, especially for public figures whose words and actions are watched by millions . Acknowledging a mistake and apologizing is an act of maturity that, as he himself pointed out, does not diminish the person, but rather strengthens him. This reflection and subsequent apology from Canelo is a reminder that even in moments of high emotion, it is crucial to maintain composure and act responsibly.