In-form Lionel Messi has received an interesting warning ahead of Argentina's 2021 Copa America final against Brazil this weekend.
Messi Causes Stir By Trolling Opponent After Penalty Miss
The Albiceleste advanced past Colombia at the semi-final stage of the competition in the early hours of Wednesday morning to book their place in the Copa final against host nation Brazil on Sunday.
Messi has been in incredible form at the tournament, scoring four times and assisting five strikes in the six matches his team has played so far, contributing to nine of their 11 goals.
Ahead of the final on Sunday, however, retired Paraguay goalkeeper Jose Luis Chilavert has warned that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner will need to be prepared to take on more than just the Brazilian national team.
Did you see how Messi and Argentina celebrated their penalty shootout win over Colombia?
"Messi's team and his teammates have to be prepared to defeat the Brazilian team, Neymar, VAR and the referee," he told Radio Continental.
"I would love that Messi escapes three or four times and can score three or four goals.
"When in doubt, they will favour the host (Brazil). The genius of Messi and his teammates, they have to play at a thousand percent."
Following the 2019 Copa America that was also hosted in Brazil, Messi was handed a three-month international ban after he accused CONMEBOL, South America's football governing body, of corruption.
The 34-year-old was also fined €42 000 (R714 million) for his furious outburst, which then-Brazil captain Dani Alves claimed was "disrespectful" to the Selecao and to his fellow professionals.
