Argentina’s 3-1 AET win over Switzerland in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-final saw an uncharacteristically angry moment from Lionel Messi.
The 39-year-old is known to let his football do the talking on the field, but there was a tense moment between the legend and Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro during the clash.
It seems Messi had to remind the referee about who he is and how he should be treated.
It’s unclear what exactly transpired and was said between Messi and Pinheiro, but the visibly animated interaction was caught on cameras around the world, with Spanish website ‘Ole’ providing a translation of what Messi reportedly said to the ref.
“Speak properly, don’t disrespect me. Speak to me properly, I spoke to you properly.”
The 39-year-old is known to let his football do the talking on the field, but there was a tense moment between the legend and Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro during the clash.
It seems Messi had to remind the referee about who he is and how he should be treated.
It’s unclear what exactly transpired and was said between Messi and Pinheiro, but the visibly animated interaction was caught on cameras around the world, with Spanish website ‘Ole’ providing a translation of what Messi reportedly said to the ref.
“Speak properly, don’t disrespect me. Speak to me properly, I spoke to you properly.”
19 days ago
