Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes & Lionel Messi's heated video exchange amid 'cowards' insult

Newcastle United star Bruno Guimaraes was involved in a confrontation with Lionel Messi during Brazil's 1-0 defeat against Argentina. The Magpies midfielder approached the eight-time Ballon d'Orwinner after Messi had been involved in a confrontation with Real Madrid star Rodrygo, who reportedly called the Inter Miami forward and team-mate Rodrigo De Paul 'cowards'.

Clashes between rivals fans and police preceded a tempestuous affair between the old rivals that ended with a 1-0 win for Argentina - and the prompted Messi to lead his players back to the dressing room as ugly scenes ensued at the Maracana Stadium.

Supporters were seen to be ripping up seats and using them as weapons as police wielded their batons in an attempt to restore order to allow their eagerly anticipated World Cup qualifier to get underway.

As the Argentina players made their way towards the dressing room, Rodrygo is alleged to have approached Messi and De Paul and labelled them 'cowards'. A report from TyC Sports has suggested Messi fired back with a retort of: "We are the world champions, why are we cowards? Look at your mouth."

Magpies star Bruno also approached Messi but seems to have taken a more sympathetic approach than his Brazil team-mate - although the midfielder's approach was shrugged off by the man many consider to be the greatest player of all-time.

Messi went on to launch an attacking on the Brazilian police as he reflected on the game, saying: "We saw how [police] were hitting the people, it already happened in the Libertadores final. They were more focused on that than on the game."

Guimaraes was not the only Newcastle player in action at the Maracana as fellow midfielder Joelinton came off the bench to replace Arsenal defender Gabriel and earn his fifth cap - but the former Hoffenheim star was controversially shown a red card for a push on De Paul.