What did Lionel Messi say to Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro during FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal?
(Courtesy : Getty)
Lionel Messi has scored eight goals in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
Defending champions Argentina secured a 3-1 victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Saturday, July 11, at the Kansas City Stadium in Missouri. Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister gave La Albiceleste an early lead by scoring in the 10th minute.
The lead was eventually cancelled by Dan Ndoye, who scored in the 67th minute, courtesy of an assist from veteran fullback Ricardo Rodriquez. However, Nati were down to ten men in the 72nd minute after Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation.
In the extra time, goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez helped the defending champions secure a berth in the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. However, the whole game was full of controversial moments.
One such incident took place during a Switzerland free kick when Lionel Messi was involved in a heated confrontation with the match referee, Joao Pinheiro.
What did Lionel Messi say to Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro?
During a Switzerland free kick, Argentina captain Lionel Messi was seen visibly angry. The 39-year-old was joining La Albiceleste’s defensive wall for the set piece, while Joao Pinheiro asked him to step back to the required distance.
However, the former Barcelona left-back was infuriated by the referee’s tone and instinctively asked Pinheiro to speak to him properly. He said to the Portuguese referee:
“Speak to me properly. Don’t disrespect me. Speak to me properly; I spoke to you properly.”
Joao Pinheiro’s decision to send off Breel Embolo in the second half attracted further controversy for the Portuguese referee. Embolo received the second yellow card for simulation after he went down on a challenge by Argentina’s Leandro Paredes.
Pinheiro made the decision after a VAR intervention, as the Swiss attacker was seen falling to the pitch with tears in his eyes. After VAR intervention, Leandro Paredes’s yellow card was cancelled and later awarded to Embolo.
When will Lionel Messi be in action again?
The Inter Miami captain will be in action against England in the semi-finals of the ongoing FIFA World Cup on Wednesday, July 15.
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