Lionel Messi was reportedly spat on by a River Plate supporter as Barcelona travelled through the airport on their way back to Spain following the 2015 Club World Cup final at the weekend.
Messi was on the scoresheet as Barcelona lifted the Club World Cup for a third time with a comfortable 3-0 win over River in Yokohama, Japan.
The Barcelona squad stopped for pictures before boarding a flight to Spain and according to various reports, a scuffle broke out when a River fan aimed spit towards Messi, who had stopped to take a photograph.
It is understood that both Luis Suarez and Javier Mascherano had to calm Messi at Tokyo's Narita airport and the situation was eventually defused.
Messi, 28, has a strained relationship with Argentine football fans, with many believing that the attacker is not fully committed to his country.
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
