Lionel Messi became the World Cup’s joint-top all-time leading scorer with a hat-trick as Argentina began their defence with a 3-0 win over Algeria – but the night was overshadowed by a furious row over a challenge that many believe should have earned him a red card.
The Argentina captain, 38, appeared to plant the studs of his left boot on the right leg of Algeria defender Aissa Mandi. The Lille player clutched his calf after falling to the pitch. Messi did not even receive a yellow card for the incident, which occurred minutes after he had scored his country’s first goal of the tournament.
“Messi hat-trick for Argentina sparks fury after he escapes red card for studs challenge on Algeria's Mandi.”
Two more goals followed in the second half – the first World Cup hat-trick of Messi’s career – but his continued involvement sparked outrage. Fans and pundits alike questioned why neither the referee nor the video assistant referee intervened.
One user on X wrote: “It’s so obvious that FIFA is going to protect Messi again this World Cup. That should have easily been a red card. Expect the same with Ronaldo. It’s going to be rigged for them to play against each other.”
Another said: “There’s no way this isn’t a red card. Even Messi himself realised the blunder he made. They didn’t even give him a yellow.”
A third added: “Nah, this is a clear RED card for Messi. Almost broke this man’s leg. Blame the ref and VAR.”
Speaking on ESPN, pundit Nedum Onuoha said: “It probably should have been a red card. It feels like the moment was missed. When the player was on the floor, you could see Messi had a level of concern towards him because he knew that he potentially had just done something there that could get him in trouble. I think the referee’s probably missed it, and I understand why the referee’s missed it, but for the video assistant referee to look at that and say ‘nah, that’s all fine, there’s nothing more to it’, I personally think that is worthy of a red card.”
Fellow pundit Ale Moreno agreed: “100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should have been.” He added: “I tell you what else is concerning, it plays along this narrative that great players get preferential treatment…”
The controversy has led to accusations that the World Cup is rigged, with the match against Algeria in Group J already facing scrutiny. Messi’s hat-trick – which ties him with Miroslav Klose for the all-time record – was almost an afterthought as the debate over the missed red card raged on.