World Cup Trash Talk Begins: Lionel Messi Is Coming For Your Women

We're about month away from the start of Soccerpocalypse 2010 and that means it's time for entire nations to start trading highly personal insults. Yes, even attempted seduction of another players ex-wife is fair game here.

In a perfectly constructed bit of UK tabloid fodder, Argentina's wonder-sprite Lionel Messi decided to make a press release-assisted pass at the estranged wife of England's Ashley Cole. Cheryl Cole is widely regarded as one of the world's most impressive WAGs, but since her man rivals Tiger Woods in the self-control department, she's currently in the process of becoming a free agent. So why not needle a rival star and maybe get some pop-star smooches if you're lucky?

Messi passed this mash note to local papers earlier today:

If she is looking for a new nation to follow at the World Cup, she should look no further than Argentina.

"We play the prettiest football, have the prettiest players, and Argentinian men know how to treat their women."

The playmaker added: "She would of course have to do the Tango - I don't think there would be a shortage of Argentinian players willing to teach her."

In case you need help with the translation, Ashley, what he's basically saying here is that entire Argentine front line is going to nail your wife. And it's going to be sexxxxy. See you in Jo-burg!

Lionel Messi asks Cheryl Cole to back Argentina pretty boys [Daily Mail] Cheryl Cole offered Tango dance lessons by Barcelona ace Lionel Messi as he makes a dig at love-rat Ashley Cole [UK Mirror]