Philadelphia Union defender Olwethu Makhanya has broken his silence on clashing with Lionel Messi during a recent Major League Soccer encounter.
Philadelphia were handed their second defeat of the MLS season after going down 2-1 to Inter Miami last weekend.
Read: Messi Humbles Ex-Bafana Star On MLS Return
Makhanya was a late substitute in the second half but managed to be part of a viral clip where he clashed with Messi, who ended up on the floor and managed to win the foul, much to the South African's frustration.
"I mean, obviously, he was, like, backing off towards me and he wasn't aware of that", the former Stellenbosch FC defender said on The One Team We Agree On Podcast.
"So I was just, like, trying to make sure he doesn't step on me. So I just, you know, pushed him a little bit.
"I guess he didn't like that. And then he started with the elbow and everything. And the linesman was just there, but, you know, he didn't say anything.
"So, yeah, that's how it went down."
Bradley Carnell's charges will be back in action on Saturday when they host Orlando City.
