And while Messi would normally have been thrilled to beat his arch rivals, he was understandably still thinking about the violent scenes after the match.

‘We saw how [police] were hitting the people, it already happened in the Libertadores final,’ he said, referring to the scenes at the Maracana before Fluminense’s win over Boca Juniors this year. ‘They were more focused on that than on the game.

Some fans were spotted bleeding from their heads with at least one leaving the stadium

Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez leapt up towards the stands and tried to grab a baton

‘We went to the locker room because it was the best way to calm everything down, a tragedy could have happened.’

He added, ‘We are a family. We decided to play to make situation more calm.’

Messi also took to Instagram after the game, writing, ‘This team continues to make history.

‘Great victory in the Maracana although it will be marked by the repression of the Argentinians once again in Brazil. This can’t be tolerated it’s insane and it needs to end now!!’

Some players from both Brazil and Argentina approached the stands to attempt to calm fans down amid the pre-game melee.

However, a handful only added fuel to the fire as Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez leapt up towards the stands and appeared to try to grab a baton out of a police officer’s hand before being torn away from the scene by his teammates.

Amid the tumult, Messi ultimately led his Albiceleste teammates back into the locker rooms.

Argentina told their Brazil rivals they would only return to the pitch after the situation was calm.

They eventually returned after 22 minutes in the dressing room, and warmed up for another three minutes before the game was finally started.