• La Liga

Drenthe drags Messi into race debate

ESPN staff
May 10, 2012
Royston Drenthe has questioned Lionel Messi's choice of words © Getty Images
Enlarge

Royston Drenthe has claimed Lionel Messi repeatedly referred to him as "negro" during his time in Spain.

Real Madrid winger Drenthe, currently on loan at Everton, has spent four years of his career in Spain, including a loan spell with Hercules last season, and he has revealed he had a troubled relationship with Barcelona star Messi.

"We played against each other a lot, and we always had problems," Drenthe told Dutch magazine Helden. "You know what really bothers me? That tone with which he always called me 'negro, negro'."

As was widely discussed in the wake of the recent accusations against Liverpool's Luis Suarez, the term "negro" does not necessarily carry negative connotations in South American countries, but Drenthe feels such words are offensive.

"I understand that it is very common in South America, but we cannot stand it," he added. "Mahamadou Diarra, my team-mate at Real, would become furious when Gabriel Heinze and Gonzalo Higuain initially called him 'negro', but they soon stopped.

"When I played against Barcelona with Hercules, I had the same problems with Messi again. Before the match, he gave me a hand and said, 'Hola, negro'. He didn't shake my hand again after the match. I don't think he'll invite me to his birthday party."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices