Las Leonas player sparks debate over Lionel Messi greeting

Comments made by a member of the Argentine women’s field hockey team, Las Leonas, regarding a greeting from footballer Lionel Messi have sparked debate on social media. Following the team’s World Cup victory against the Netherlands, a player identified in reports as either Victoria or María José Granatto commented on the excitement within the squad regarding Messi’s message to the team.

The player stated that while the footballer’s gesture caused significant enthusiasm among teammates, she sought to shift the focus toward the historical identity of Argentine hockey. She emphasized the importance of figures such as Luciana Aymar and Mercedes Margalot, asserting, “Our history is much more grande.”

Public reaction has been divided, with some interpreting the remarks as a dismissal of Messi, while others view them as an effort to reclaim and honor the independent legacy of the women’s national hockey team.