'Lionel Messi basically called me a donkey in a message,' claims Jamie Carragher

Argentina icon, Lionel Messi reportedly hit out at Liverpool legend, Jamie Carragher following his criticism of the striker moving to Paris Saint-Germain from Barcelona last summer, with the former defender claiming that that the record seven-time Ballon d'Or award winner basically called him a "donkey".

PSG completed arguably the biggest signing in football history when they managed to get Messi to sign for them on a free transfer, though the move came in for criticism from Carragher.

"I had a little pop at Ronaldo early in the season. I didn't think it was a great signing for United. And I said the example of Messi. I didn't think Messi was a great signing for PSG. 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," he told Sky Sports.

"He watches Monday Night Football, so hopefully he's watching Friday Night Football as well, because Lionel I absolutely love you. The greatest player of all time - and compared to you, I was a donkey, I accept that. But you're not getting into this team.

"You haven't played well enough, even if you did win the Copa America in the summer. It's not enough to leave my man out, Mo Salah," the former defender added.

The 34-year-old has not had the best of starts to life in Paris, scoring only one goal in 11 appearances in Ligue 1, though he has netted five goals in the Champions League so far.