What did Lionel Messi say to Alvaro Gonzalez in their 2016 derby clash?

During a 2016 Catalan derby, Lionel Messi reportedly called Alvaro Gonzalez "bad" after a defensive play.

How did Alvaro Gonzalez respond to Lionel Messi?

Alvaro Gonzalez responded to Lionel Messi's insult by telling him he was "very short."

What other controversy was Alvaro Gonzalez involved in?

Alvaro Gonzalez was involved in a 2020 incident in the French league with Neymar Jr. that included allegations of racist insults, which were later dismissed.

Home / Sports / Messi & Gonzalez: The 2016 Derby Jab Revealed

Messi & Gonzalez: The 2016 Derby Jab Revealed

31 Mar

•

Summary

Gonzalez recounted a 2016 exchange with Messi during a Catalan derby.
Messi called Gonzalez 'bad,' prompting a retort about Messi's height.
Gonzalez also faced accusations of racism with Neymar in 2020.

Messi & Gonzalez: The 2016 Derby Jab Revealed

Alvaro Gonzalez, a former professional footballer, recently shared details of a memorable verbal exchange he had with Lionel Messi during a 2016 Catalan derby. The ex-Espanyol player described the intense atmosphere of matches against Barcelona.

Gonzalez recounted that after a defensive foul, Messi insulted his playing ability, calling him "bad." In response, Gonzalez humorously admitted he told the Argentine captain he was "very short."

This was not the only high-profile incident in Gonzalez's career. He was also involved in a significant controversy with Neymar Jr. in the French league in 2020, concerning alleged racist insults. These claims were ultimately dismissed by sporting authorities after an investigation.

Gonzalez retired from professional football in 2025 after playing for Tenerife. Throughout his career, he maintained his innocence regarding the allegations made against him.

Disclaimer: This story has been auto-aggregated and auto-summarised by a computer program. This story has not been edited or created by the Feedzop team.