Lionel Messi has been accused of desperation after trying to get Spain full-back Marc Cucurella sent off during the World Cup final, as the Argentina captain resorted to a controversial new FIFA rule in a bid to level the playing field.
The incident unfolded in stoppage time at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey, moments after Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez was shown a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Pau Curbasi. With Argentina reduced to 10 men and trailing in a largely lacklustre 90 minutes, Messi approached referee Slavko Vincic and demanded action against Cucurella.
“Messi tried to get Cucurella sent off for covering mouth; pundits slammed 'desperate' act.”
Replays showed Cucurella speaking to Messi with his hand partly covering his mouth—two fingers, not a full hand. FIFA had introduced a rule for this summer's tournament forbidding players from speaking to opponents with their mouths covered, in a bid to combat racism. Messi flagged the gesture to officials, but his pleas fell on deaf ears and no action was taken.
The 39-year-old's move was condemned by BBC pundits Micah Richards, Joe Hart and Gabby Logan. "He's not got his whole hand over, he's got two fingers. It's harsh isn't it? You don't want to see people getting sent off in a World Cup final for that," Richards said. Hart added: "Yeah, I didn't enjoy that at all. You realise how on top Spain are in this game if even Lionel Messi is reverting to that." Logan asked: "Desperation from Messi there?"
The match headed into extra time with no further score, and the final will be remembered not only for the red card but also for a moment that some believe tarnished Messi's legacy. Meanwhile, FIFA announced that the 2026 World Cup winners will receive Super Bowl-style championship rings, adopting what they called an 'iconic American sporting tradition'.
Interpretation of Messi's actions suggests that even the greatest players can be pushed to uncharacteristic lengths when the stakes are highest.