Barcelona star Lionel Messi has been criticised by the Union of Gabonese People political party for being "dirty" and having "appalling" manners during a trip to the African nation.
The four-time Ballon d'Or winner visited Gabon last week and laid the first brick for a stadium to be constructed in Port-Gentil for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations.
After his visit, the 28-year-old, who won the Champions League, La Liga and Copa del Rey with Barca last season, was criticised for wearing denim shorts and a T-shirt when he met Gabonese president Ali Bongo.
"The Messiah of football arrived [like he was visiting] a zoo in Gabon - dirty, unshaven and hands in pockets looking to swing their peanuts!" 101greatgoals.com quotes the Union of Gabonese People as saying.
"When we called Lionel Messi, who is a multi-billionaire, no-one has the right to appear before officials [with] hands in the pockets of a torn and ragged shorts. Hands in pockets - it is a total lack of manners. Appalling."
Gabon authorities were forced to deny this week that Messi was paid £2.5m for the visit.
Danielle Joynson
