Argentina got off the wrong foot in the Paris Olympics 2024. Javier Mascherano and Co. endured a 2-1 loss in their opening game against Group B rivals Morocco. Shocking won’t be the only word to address their latest upset as it was rather a controversial defeat for La Albiceleste U23s, which certainly left many senior players of the Argentina National Team outraged, including the likes of Lionel Messi, Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolas Otamendi.

Addressing the controversy first, Argentina was trailing with two goals, until substitute Giuliano Simeone broke the deadlock during the hour mark. As they tussled for another goal, the referee added 15 minutes of stoppage time. Though Cristian Medina scored the equalizer, that moment was marred by Moroccan fans invading the pitch and throwing firecrackers at the players. Surprisingly, the match was suspended for over an hour, until both teams returned and Medina’s late goal was eventually called offside.

Following the match, Lionel Messi first took to Instagram stories and posted a blank screen with a single word saying, “insolito” which translates to “unbelievable” along with a flushed emoji. Likewise, Rodrigo De Paul also followed suit by sharing a training post of Argentina U23 and as translated, wrote, “More than ever with you! You can do it against everyone.”

Additionally, Nicolas Otamendi, who was called to France by Mascherano and was in action yesterday, expressed his discontent regarding the incident. Speaking to Argentinian journalist Gaston Edul, the defender said, “It’s a piece of history. Nothing like this ever happened. Morocco didn’t want to play it and neither did we. We waited an hour and forty but no one told us anything. It makes you helpless because it is the Olympic Games.”

Notably, the anger doesn’t end here as other Argentinian stars also expressed their discontent.

More Argentinian stars join Lionel Messi to slam Paris Olympics over a ‘circus’ clash vs Morocco

La Albiceleste left-back Nico Tagliafico took to X and couldn’t hold back his anger. As translated, he wrote, “Leaving the circus, are we going to talk about the reason why it was suspended or are we going to continue being stupid? If it had been the other way around I can’t even imagine what they would be saying. 😡🤦🏻‍♂️🎪” The Lyon defender has posed a question for the stakeholders for such blunders.

Finally, Geronimo Rulli, who also started the game against Morocco but failed to save the two goals, already knew that Argentina may face such adversities and was optimistic that his side could overcome them. “We already know where we came and how we’ll be treated, but don’t doubt that we will do everything possible to raise our flag high once again. Altogether,” he said in the post-match interview and as compiled by @AlbicelesteTalk on X.

Be that as it may, it’s clear the incidents that transpired during Argentina vs Morocco have left all the La Albiceleste stars infuriated. Let’s see what the Olympic Committee will have their say.