Why Fans Believe Lionel Messi is The 'Most Protected Player Ever'

• Fans have resorted to social media to label Lionel Messi the most protected player ever
• Messi avoided a red card despite elbowing and grabbing an opponent's throat
• Argentina suffered a 2-0 defeat at home to Uruguay in a World Cup qualifier

Fans are branding Lionel Messi the "most protected player ever" as he avoided a red card in two separate incidents.

In their recent World Cup qualifier, Argentina suffered a 2-0 defeat to Uruguay, with goals from Ronald Araujo and Darwin Nunez securing an unexpected win.

The match in Buenos Aires was highly charged, and Messi found himself at the center of two altercations.

Video footage suggests that the Inter Miami star delivered an elbow to Mathias Olivera after a clash with Messi's teammate, Rodrigo De Paul.

Following that, Messi further escalated tensions by grabbing Olivera by the throat.

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Following pushing and shoving between the involved parties, the referee intervened but chose not to show a red card to the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, sparking frustration among fans online.

One fan wrote:

“Shouldn’t that be a red card for mr Messi with the elbow??”

A second commented:

“This is a red card for any other player in the world but not for FIFA’s boy Lionel Messi. The most protected player of all time.

“Not a red card cause his last name is Messi,” wrote a third.

Another wrote:

“Not the first Time, most protected player ever.”

Argentina's loss to Uruguay marks their first defeat in the World Cup qualifying campaign. Nevertheless, they maintain their position at the top of the table with 12 points, having won four out of five qualifiers.

The world champions will resume action on Wednesday in a match against Brazil.

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Sports Brief has also reported that Messi still oozed class despite the defeat as he appeared to be the only player to make something happen for his nation.

He grazed the crossbar with a beautiful free kick in the second half - the closest he came to getting his name on the scoresheet.

In the first half, the crowd in Buenos Aires was treated to vintage Messi when their captain took the ball near the centre circle inside Argentina's half.