2026 World Cup: Moreno slams referee for not giving Messi red card against Algeria

Former footballer now pundit, Alejandro Moreno, has stated that Lionel Messi should have received a red card during Argentina’s FIFA World Cup match against Algeria.

Although Messi netted all three goals, leading Argentina to a decisive 3-0 victory, the 38-year-old avoided any disciplinary action in the first half.

Approximately thirty minutes into the match, Algeria’s Aissa Mandi was seen in agony after Messi executed a studs-up challenge that struck the defender’s calf.

To the astonishment of the spectators, referee Szymon Marciniak allowed the game to proceed without issuing even a yellow card to Messi. The former Barcelona star went on scored twice in the second half.

Moreno was among those who found the referee’s decision unsatisfactory, asserting that Messi warranted a red card and labeling his challenge as ‘clumsy.’

In addition to the tackle, Moreno pointed out what he referred to as ‘preferential treatment,’ noting that FIFA president Gianni Infantino was seen smiling in the VIP section after Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane successfully saved one of Messi’s attempts.

“It’s 100% a red card for Lionel Messi,” Mereno said on ESPN. “It should’ve been. I’ll tell you what else is concerning and it plays along this narrative that great players get preferential treatment.

“When he was about to score a hat-trick and goalkeeper [Luca] Zidane made a save, they showed [Gianni] Infantino smiling as if to say ‘that was close’. And it does play into that narrative of, ‘oh yeah, this guy’s getting a different sort of treatment.”

The pundit also questioned why referee Marciniak was not called by VAR to review the challenge before doubling down on his red card claim.

“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 Szymon Marciniak not called over to review it?

“It should have been a red card for Lionel Messi. As much as I love Lionel Messi, that was a clumsy challenge, a bad challenge and 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,” he added.

The on-field decision further sparked debate after it was confirmed that it was the same referee who officiated Argentina’s clash with France in the 2022 World Cup final.