Teen’s ‘attack’ on Messi a ‘misunderstanding’

THE mother of a teenager accused of trying to attack Champions League hero Lionel Messi has insisted he tripped as he went to greet him.

The Barcelona star was reported to have been hit on Thursday as he signed autographs outside a restaurant in his native city of Rosario, Argentina.

A 17-year-old fan of Rosario Central, the bitter rivals of Messi’s childhood club Newell’s Old Boys, was quickly identified as the alleged attacker after fleeing the scene.