The Argentine government demands that Messi apologize to end the crisis of racism against France

The Argentine Ministry of Sports on Wednesday called on national team captain Lionel Messi to apologize for racist chants by his teammates against France during the Copa America Cup coronation celebrations earlier this week.

Deputy Sports Minister Julio Garro said that Lionel Messi, in his capacity as leader, and the president of the Argentine Football Association, Chiqui Tapia, should apologize for the country's "bad image" after player Enzo Fernandez published a controversial video of national team players that includes insults to Kylian Mbappe, France's captain, and his teammates.

Jarrow added, "The captain of the national team must come out and apologize for this position that offends our country in the midst of a moment of glory. We must set a good example before the world."

The French Federation filed a complaint with the International Federation (FIFA), condemning the racist comments, while the English club Chelsea opened an investigation against its player Enzo Fernandez, who apologized for publishing the video after the anger of his French teammates.

Messi partnered with Mbappe earlier at the French club Paris Saint-Germain.

Argentina retained the Copa America Cup with a 1-0 victory over Colombia in overtime last Monday in the United States, two years after Messi and his teammates won the World Cup at the expense of France on penalties in Qatar.