2026 World Cup: Moreno slams referee for not giving Messi red card against Algeria
Alejandro Moreno Claims Lionel Messi Deserved Red Card in World Cup Match
Former footballer and current sports pundit Alejandro Moreno has stated that Lionel Messi should have been issued a red card during Argentina’s FIFA World Cup match against Algeria. Despite scoring all three goals in Argentina’s 3-0 victory, the 38-year-old forward avoided any disciplinary action in the first half.
Approximately half an hour into the match, Algeria’s Aissa Mandi appeared to be in significant pain after Messi executed a studs-up challenge that made contact with the defender’s calf. Referee Szymon Marciniak allowed play to continue without showing any card to Messi, who later scored twice in the second half.
Moreno criticized the officiating, asserting that Messi’s challenge warranted a red card and describing it as “clumsy.” He also noted what he perceived as preferential treatment towards the star player, referencing FIFA President Gianni Infantino, who was reportedly seen smiling in the VIP section after Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane made a save on one of Messi’s attempts.
“It’s 100% a red card for Lionel Messi,” Moreno stated during an appearance on ESPN. “I’ll tell you what else is concerning: this plays into the narrative that great players get preferential treatment.”
Moreno questioned why VAR did not prompt Marciniak to review the challenge. “We don’t even have to see the still; if you see the live video, it felt like a bad challenge to begin with. Then you see the replay, and this is a bad challenge. Somebody has to take a look at this. Why was the referee not called over to review it?” he asked.
He reiterated his stance on the need for a red card, emphasizing, “As much as I love Lionel Messi, that was a clumsy challenge, a bad challenge. You’re raking the back of somebody’s calf all the way up from the knee down to his ankle. It should have been a red card.”
The controversy over Marciniak’s decision has reignited discussions, especially since he was also the referee during Argentina’s contest against France in the 2022 World Cup final.
