A fresh wave of reactions has followed viral claims attributed to Jordi Alba explaining the motive behind Lionel Messi’s iconic shirt celebration during the 2017 El Clásico.
According to widely circulated posts on social media, Alba alleged that Messi was subjected to insults from Real Madrid fans during the match, including derogatory chants, which reportedly angered the Argentine star.
The claims suggest that Messi, frustrated by the abuse, responded emphatically after scoring a dramatic stoppage-time winner at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium—famously holding up his Barcelona shirt to the crowd in what has since become one of football’s most enduring images.
However, while the celebration itself is well-documented—coming after Messi’s 93rd-minute winner in a 3–2 victory —there is no widely verified interview or official source confirming the detailed account attributed to Alba. Most versions of the quote appear to originate from unverified social media posts rather than established media outlets.
The moment remains one of the defining scenes in modern football history, symbolising both Messi’s dominance and the intensity of the El Clásico rivalry. But the emotional backstory now trending online should be treated with caution, as its authenticity remains unconfirmed.
