The football world often keeps secrets that are only revealed with the passage of time. Recently, former footballer Alvaro Gonzalez relived an iconic exchange of words he had with Lionel Messi during a Catalan derby in 2016.

In an interview with El Chiringuito TV, the former Espanyol player detailed the tension that was experienced in those clashes against Barcelona and how a physical clash ended in an exchange of personal attacks that was etched in the memory of the fans.

Messi's heated argument with rival that ended with insults

The spark was ignited after a defensive action in which Gonzalez stopped the Argentine star with a hip check. According to the former footballer's account, Messi's frustration translated into a direct description of his level of play: "Leo called me bad and I told him he was very short," Gonzalez confessed with a laugh

😯 La INTRAHISTORIA de la DISCUSIÓN de @AlvaroGonzalez_ con MESSI.

🗣️ "Leo me llamó malo y yo le dije que era muy bajo".

👐 "Era lo único que le podía decir..." pic.twitter.com/4NSzO8ZGzP

— El Chiringuito TV (@elchiringuitotv) March 30, 2026

Although the cameras of the time suggest that it was the Spaniard who started the verbal duel, he admits that at that moment of high pulsations it was the only thing he could think of to respond to the reproach of the Argentine captain.

Alvaro Gonzalez and another conflict in football

That episode was not the only moment of high friction in Gonzalez's career. The defender, who retired from professional football in 2025 wearing the Tenerife shirt, was also involved in a high-profile incident in the French league with Neymar Jr. in 2020.

On that occasion, the accusations were more serious, involving alleged racist insults that were eventually dismissed by the sporting authorities after a thorough investigation. Gonzalez always maintained his innocence, thanking the support of his club at the time, Olympique de Marseille.