“Gabon isn't a zoo – Dirty Messi didn't respect us”- political opposition party

Gabon's political opposition party have slammed Lionel Messi for not respecting the African country after meeting their president 'dirty, unshaved' and in relaxed clothes.

Messi was in Gabon to take part in laying the first foundation for a new stadium in Libreville and was driven around by President Ali Bongo Ondimba himself.

However, members of Gabon's opposition party, Union du Gabonais (UPG) were not happy with Messi's dress code and have released the following statement, as quoted by ESPN:

“The messiah of football arrived in Gabon like he were going to a zoo: dirty, unshaven and his hands in his pockets, looking for peanuts to throw to them!

“When you’re called Lionel Messi and you’re a multi-billionaire, you don’t have the right to present yourself to officials of a republic, even a banana one, with your hands in the pockets of a ripped, tattered pair of shorts.

“Gabon isn’t a zoo. We don’t know what the Argentine came to Gabon for, but we at least have the right to denounce his negligence and his lack of respect for standards and principles. We are uneasy with Messi’s attitude and his attire. Only for these reasons, linked to respect for the host country, do we condemn the footballer’s indelicateness, to say the least!”

Messi was also accused of receiving €3.5 million for the visit, which was reportedly organized by his former Barcelona teammate Samuel Eto'o. However, these reports have been dismissed by Mundo Deportivo, who 'independently verified' that Messi was not paid.

Gabon will host the 2017 African Cup of Nations and Libreville will host the final of the tournament.