Messi claims Uruguay's younger players need to 'learn respect'

The defeat ended Argentina's 14-match unbeaten run which stretched back to their group stage defeat to Saudi Arabia at the World Cup, before going on to lift the trophy.

Several clashes occurred during the match with Messi seen putting his hands on the throat of Uruguay defender Mathias Olivera.

The first-half saw a clash between Uruguay midfielder Manuel Ugarte and Rodrigo de Paul, with the the former alleged to have accused the Argentine of being a 'suck up' to Lionel Messi'.

Ugarte then made an obscene gesture and pointed to Messi, prompting an angry reaction from De Paul.

Messi hit back at Uruguay post match with the Ballon D'Or winner insisting their South American rivals needed to 'learn respect'.

'These kinds of games, qualifiers, against Uruguay, it's always like that,' Messi told reporters.

'I prefer not to say what I think. Young people have to learn to respect from their elders. 

'These games are always intense but very respectful, so they have to learn a little.'