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After Argentina's loss to Brazil in a Copa America semi-final game marred by controversial refereeing, Lionel Messi, Argentina's captain, hit out at CONMEBOL and the tournament as a whole, and also after being controversially sent off in the third-place play-off with Chile. Messi claimed the game officials had been favoring tournament hosts, Brazil, throughout the Copa.  CONMEBOL reacted indirectly, qualifying Messi's rant as "unacceptable". Messi's long-tie Barcelona team-mate, Dani Alves, who won player of the tournament at the Copa America also criticized Messi, reiterating that Messi remains a dear friend, but still believes Messi was wrong. "A friend is not always right just because he's a friend. You can say it in the heat of the moment, but I still won't agree," Alves told  SporTV's 'Bem Amigos'. "Firstly, he's disrespecting an institution such as the Selecao, in my view. Secondly, he's being disre...

Brazil manager Tite has qualified Messi's corruption claims as disrespectful and says Messi has to have more respect and accept defeat. Brazil beat Peru 3-1 on Sunday to lift the Copa America trophy for the first time since 2007. Tite shared his views on Messi after Brazil's victory. Despite dismissing Messi's corruption claims, he said he didn't think Messi deserved a red card vs Chile. As per ESPN, Tite said, "He has to have more respect and needs to accept when he loses. "We played clean against Argentina. Messi was unfairly sent off against Chile. It was a yellow card. But be careful." Dani Alves who won player of the tournament also disagreed with Messi's comments. "I do not agree with what [Messi] said. Here we have professional players who have worked a lot in this competition and who have fought for it. Deservedly [Brazil] eliminated [Argentina in the semifinal]. This is a very special achievement. We do not have to think about...

Brazil defeated Peru 3-1 yesterday, at the Maracana stadium to win their first Copa America in 12 years. Right-back Dani Alves was named player of the tournament. Alves left Paris Saint-Germain this summer and will certainly be sought for by many suitors after his triumphant performances at the Copa America. 36-year-old Alves replaced Neymar as Brazil's captain in May  after the forward's series of off-field controversies, including a physical attack on a fan that earned him a three-match ban by the French Football Association. Everton who  was named man of the match for the final, scored a goal and won a penalty against  Peru . He also picked up the golden boot. He shared the honor with Peru's Paolo Guerrero, both on three goals each.  Alisson , meanwhile, was awarded the golden glove for his heroics in the tournament. Dani Alves also responded to Messi's claim that the Copa had been set up for Brazil to win. Alves' response as per ESPN was:  "I do ...