Jamie Carragher has claimed that Lionel Messi sent him a private message calling him a "donkey" after he had criticised the Argentina forward of moving to PSG.

Messi moved to the French club in the summer after Barcelona were unable to keep him on due to financial issues.

As reported in The Mirror, when Carragher and Gary Neville were discussing their Team of the Year on Friday Night Football a point was made that Messi was missing from Carragher's XI.

The ex-Liverpool defender explained that the forward was not happy with him due to a comment he'd made earlier in the season.

He said: “I had a little pop at Ronaldo early in the season, I didn’t think it was a great signing for United.

Wirral Globe: Lionel Messi moved to PSG from Barcelona during the summer of 2021 (PA)Lionel Messi moved to PSG from Barcelona during the summer of 2021 (PA)

"And I said the example of Messi, I didn’t think Messi was a great signing for PSG.

“It was on Monday Night Football and I got a private message on Instagram. From the man himself, I will not be showing private messages but he basically called me a donkey!

“He watches Monday Night Football, so hopefully he’s watching Friday Night Football as well, because Lionel I absolutely love you," he added.

Carragher went to say that he would have to accept the criticism from Messi, who won the 2021 Ballon d'Or award for a record seventh time.

Regardless Carragher added that it wouldn't be enough to keep Mo Salah out of his team.