Lionel Messi’s reaction to Argentina’s defeat by Morocco in the men’s Olympic football tournament has raised eyebrows. The Argentine superstar was seen giving a thumbs down to an opponent during the match, which sparked debate about his sportsmanship.

Argentina had taken the lead through a 79th-minute strike from Alexis Mac Allister, but Morocco equalized just four minutes later through Achraf Dari’s goal. In extra time, Morocco scored again to win 2-1 and send Argentina out of the tournament.

Messi was visibly upset after the match and was seen gesturing at Moroccan players in a way that some interpreted as disrespect.

The controversy surrounding Messi’s reaction has sparked debate on social media, with many questioning whether his behavior was acceptable. Some have argued that the 35-year-old should set an example for young footballers and show respect to opponents even in defeat.

However, others have defended Messi, saying that he was simply reacting to a tough loss and that the controversy surrounding the incident is being blown out of proportion.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it’s clear that Messi’s reaction has dominated the conversation around Argentina’s exit from the tournament.

The defeat marked the first time Argentina had failed to win an Olympic medal in football since 1928. The team’s coach, Fernando Batista, said after the match that he was ‘proud’ of his players and that they would learn from their mistakes.

For Messi, this is not the first controversy surrounding his behavior on the pitch. In the past, he has been accused of diving and simulation, and some have questioned whether his reputation for being a great player is matched by his sportsmanship.

Regardless of where one stands on the issue, it’s clear that Messi’s reaction to Argentina’s defeat has sparked a much-needed conversation about sportsmanship in football.