Lionel Messi Denies Official Rant, Says He Was Talking to the Air

Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi denied directing an insult toward a match official while playing for Argentina's national team against Chile last Thursday, which led to a four-match international ban.

On Wednesday, AS passed along comments Messi made to Argentinian outlet La Nacion about the situation and he echoed the country's Football Association's explanation of the incident to FIFA.

"My comments were never directed at the first assistant, they were comments made to the air," he said.

FIFA announced the suspension Tuesday, just hours before the Albiceleste played the Bolivia in a 2018 World Cup qualifier. The governing body confirmed the Disciplinary Committee found him guilty of “having directed insulting words at an assistant referee.”

Barca released a statement about the decision, though it won't impact his club availability:

"

FC Barcelona expresses its surprise and indignation at the decision by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee to suspend Leo Messi following the FIFA World Cup qualifying fixture between Argentina and Chile.

The Club considers the four-match suspension imposed on the Argentine player to be unfair and totally disproportionate.

Finally, FC Barcelona wishes to reiterate its support for Leo Messi, an exemplary player in terms of conduct, both on and off the pitch.

"

ESPN FC translated comments Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez, Messi's Blaugrana teammate and CONMEBOL counterpart, made to Sport 890 about the ruling.

"I find Messi's ban totally excessive," he said. "Now they will have to do the same with all the players that hurl insults."

Nevertheless, Messi was unavailable as Argentina suffered a 2-0 away loss to Bolivia at Estadio Hernando Siles in La Paz on Tuesday night. His absence was immediately felt as the side failed to capitalize on chances in the attacking third, a trend that may continue during his ban.

The Albiceleste are now in danger of missing the World Cup. They currently sit in fifth place in the table, which would result in having to play in an inter-confederation playoff. Ecuador, Peru and Paraguay are all within four points of that final spot with four matches to play.