Lionel Messi is facing calls to be BANNED from Mexico as a 'persona non grata' amid row over him kicking a Mexico shirt in the dressing room - as a furious MP accuses Argentina star of 'contempt' and a 'lack of respect'

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A furious Mexican MP has called for Lionel Messi to be banned from her country and listed as 'persona non grata' for showing a 'lack of respect' after Argentina played Mexico at the World Cup.

María Clemente García, a Mexican MP, made her incredible pitch to have Messi officially deemed unwelcome on Mexican territory earlier this week.

Messi, who scored in a 2-0 group stage win over Mexico, caused a stir when a video of the dressing room afterwards appeared to show the Paris Saint-Germain star kicking a Mexican jersey or flag that was strewn on the floor. 

Footage from inside Argentina's changing room has caused outrage for a Mexican minister

Messi (right) has been accused of disrespecting Mexico by kicking their shirt in the footage 

Boxer Canelo Alvarez got involved, before apologising, but now Garcia has waded in and wants sanctions taken.  

'(Messi) showed not only an obvious contempt, but also a lack of respect towards the colours that allude to those who make up our national flag, which from a sovereign perspective can be considered as conduct constituting an affront against our national identity, in addition to being contrary to the fundamental principle of 'fair play', the support of fair competitiveness that is championed by FIFA,' she said in her motion.

She then went on to lay out her pitch for a point of agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE )that would make Messi 'persona non grata' - no longer welcome - in Mexico.

Mexican minister María Clemente García wants Messi made 'persona non grata' in Mexico

Several players rushed to the defence of Messi once the video emerged, including friends and former team-mates Cesc Fabregas and Sergio Aguero, as well as Mexican internationals Miguel Layun and Andres Guadrado. 

While Canelo was one of the earliest and most prominent critics of Messi, the Mexican fighter rowed back on his remarks and apologised. 

His apology read: 'These last few days I got carried away by the passion and love I feel for my country and made comments that were out of place for which I want to apologise to Messi and the people of Argentina. 

'Every day we learn something new and this time it was my turn.

Saul 'Canelo' Alvarez has apologised to Messi for his comments in a recent Twitter row

'I wish both teams much success in their matches today and here we will continue to support Mexico until the end.'

Messi has kept quiet amid the furore around the video in question but Aguero was quick to step in, saying: 'Mr. Canelo, don't look for excuses or problems, surely you don't know about football and what happens in a locker room.' 

The supposed 'victim' of Messi's disrespect, Guadrado, got involved, calling the argument 'silly' and defending the Argentina skipper and criticising Canelo's actions. 

Even Javier Hernandez - the all-time Mexican record goalscorer - had his say, vowing in jest to defend Aguero with his life.