Fans convinced Lionel Messi ‘threw a PUNCH’ at PSG’s Vitinha as legend humbled by his old team in Club World Cup

LIONEL MESSI left fans scratching their heads after a peculiar exchange with Paris Saint-Gemain’s Vitinha.

Many viewers reckon the Inter Miami skipper threw a “punch” at his former team-mate as PSG romped into the Club World Cup quarter-finals.

Messi and co were outclassed 4-0 following a first-half blitz by the 

Champions League winners at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner grew in frustration as his MLS team barely threatened.

And although Messi is not known for aggressive play, some fans were convinced he was in the wrong during an astonishing encounter with midfielder Vitinha.

The Argentine World Cup winner dashed in to challenge the Portugal star, appearing to grab his shirt.

Messi’s arm took one low, harmless swing – then as Vitinha laid the ball back, the 38-year-old appeared to take a much wilder swing at head height.

Luckily the flailing arm didn’t appear to make contact with the ex-Porto ace, who turned round as if he hadn’t realised  what had happened.

Swing when you’re whinging seemed to be the verdict from many fans on Messi’s antics.

One wrote: “What the hell is Messi doing throwing a punch at Vitinha. This guy doesn’t know how to lose, what a poor sportsman.”

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Messi had a frustrating time against the Champions League winners[/caption]

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Another posted: “Bro, what did Vitinha do to Messi, to get him so bothered?”

Many posed more innocent questions like: “What was Messi trying to do?”

And some fans suggested it all looked worse than it really was for the Barcelona legend.

One wrote: “He commits this alleged assault and no one complains, not even Vitinha.”A similar-minded observer added: “Aggression where Vitinha (supposedly attacked) doesn’t even complain, oh but the Twitter referees say it’s aggression hahaha.”

And lovers of the four-time Champions League winner rushed in to defend him.

One claimed: “It’s taken you 20 years to release a video of Messi doing something wrong. “

But the icon also came under fire from the French media – as the debate over his troubled two years with PSG rumbles on.

Sports outlet L’Equipe blasted his performance and made a cutting reference to his stint in paris.

They wrote: “It wasn’t the first time we saw Lionel Messi walking while PSG players were in motion.”