Qatar 2022: Mike Tyson threatens Alvarez if he dares touch Messi

Boxing icon Mike Tyson has warned Canelo Alvarez he'll deal with him in the ring if he lays a finger on Lionel Messi.

Undisputed super-middleweight king Canelo threatened Messi after a photo appeared to show the footy star kicking a Mexico shirt that lay on the dressing room floor after Argentina's World Cup win over The Tricolour.

But the former pound-for-pound king will have to contend with Iron Mike if he lays a hand on the Paris Saint-Germain ace.

Iron Mike told BBO Sports: "Someone called Canelo threatened Messi.

"If he dares to touch Messi, I will have to return to the ring."

Tyson, who returned to the ring in November 2020 for an exhibition with fellow great Roy Jones Jr, won't have to lace up his gloves to face Canelo any time soon as the proud Mexican has since issued an apology to Messi.

He tweeted: “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 apologize to Messi and the people of Argentina.

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

“I wish both teams much success in their matches today, and here we will continue supporting Mexico until the end.”

Former undisputed heavyweight champion Tyson has been a fan of Messi for the best part of a decade.

Ahead of the 2018 World Cup final between Messi's beloved Argentina and tournament winners Germany, he tweeted: “Go Argentina! Love watching Messi play."

Messi and Argentina booked their place in the knockout stages of Qatar 2022 with a 2-0 win over Poland on Wednesday night - which saw them top Group C.

The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner and his countrymen will face Australia in the last 16 on Saturday night.