Fake Quote Attributed to Lionel Messi

Hind Khoudary

Sports

28th May 2021

Fake claim circulating since 2018 (Screenshot).

The Claim

Lionel Messi stated he refused to play a match against Israel.

News posted on

Emerging story

An image doing rounds on social media quotes the Argentinian soccer football player Lionel Messi refused to play a match against Israel. Users claimed his statement came after the Israeli army killed innocent Palestinian children.

A supporting image within the article body

Misbar’s Analysis

MENA: Misbar did not find any evidence that Messi said the quote, circulating online since at least 2018.

Fore all those who r criticizing Messi should also know that he is the one who refused to play against Israel cuz he said that he didn't play against country who doesn't even know how to respect human beings So that's the reason I respect him greatly 💟💟💟#WorldCup pic.twitter.com/sMjdUEZqtv
— SeeBi💗PTI 🇵🇰 (@tigerzOfIK) June 22, 2018

However, Messi has not shared anything on his official social media accounts related to Palestine or Israel in 2021.
In June 2018, Martin Arvelo, an Argentinian journalist, debunked the same claim on his official Twitter account.

Es falso lo que escribes. Messi no hablo con ningún medio y tampoco en @TyCSports sobre esto. Informen con precisión. Messi en esta gira no hablo con la prensa. https://t.co/yCfeSprdwZ
— Martin Arevalo (@arevalo_martin) June 6, 2018