Lionel Messi brutally refused Champions League punditry role because of Jamie Carragher, says Kate Abdo
KATE ABDO hilariously revealed that Lionel Messi refused a Champions League punditry role because of a feud with Jamie Carragher.
Popular presenter Abdo and her CBS Sports team broadcast last night’s Champions League action in a special show from Miami.
Carragher, Thierry Henry and Micah Richards were all present as the fan-favourite group watched various matches including Manchester United’s 3-3 draw with Galatasaray.
And being based in one of America’s most glamorous cities presented the opportunity for Inter Miami star Messi to make a guest appearance.
CBS Sports reached out to the Argentina ace to see if he fancied coming on air.
But Messi brutally rejected the chance to voice his opinions due to an ongoing beef with Carragher.
The fallout started in January 2022 when the ex-Liverpool star criticised Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.
It resulted in the World Cup winner sending a private message to Carragher, branding him a “donkey”.
And after learning the Anfield icon would be appearing on CBS Sports’ Miami show last night, Messi declined to make an appearance.
Host Abdo revealed: “You know we made an official invitation extended to Inter Miami, and we asked him to come on the show.
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS & NEW CUSTOMER BONUSES
“Do you know what the official response was? Apparently Lionel Messi will not be doing any television shows that Jamie Carragher is a part of.”
However, the Sky Sports star brushed off Messi’s snub, declaring it a “claim to fame”.
Revealing more about Messi’s “donkey” message, Carragher said at the time: “It was on Monday Night Football and I got a private message on Instagram.
“From the man himself. I will not be showing private messages but he basically called me a donkey.”
Carragher added in September: “I was coming home from a game, I got a message and was like ‘that can’t be him, must be a fake account’.
“Then I looked and it came from that and he told me his opinion.
“I had to Google and translate because I didn’t have a clue what he sent me.
“I just said ‘thanks for your opinion’. The next night he was crowned the Ballon d’Or winner so I replied saying ‘congratulations’. He saw the message and didn’t reply.”