Lionel Messi’s bid for a fairytale conclusion to his international career ended in bitter disappointment, as the Argentina captain cut a frustrated figure throughout the FIFA World Cup 2025 final where he failed to register a single shot at goal.
Argentina’s reign as world champions ended not with a dignified surrender of their crown, but amidst a cloud of heavy acrimony and international condemnation. Following their 0-1 extra-time defeat to Spain in New York, the South American giants faced intense criticism for an array of unsportsmanlike actions, culminating in an ugly post-match pitch brawl that saw midfielder Leandro Paredes sent off.
A fiercely contested final had already seen Argentina reduced to ten men in second-half stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez received a second yellow card for a reckless challenge on Spain’s Pau Cubars. However, the disciplinary collapse deepened significantly as the match slipped away, beginning with an uncharacteristic flashpoint involving captain Lionel Messi.
During a stoppage late in normal time, television cameras captured Spain defender Marc Cucurella approaching Messi while covering his mouth with his hand. In response, Messi approached Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic, aggressively gesturing that Cucurella should be dismissed under FIFA’s newly implemented regulations regarding players obscuring their mouths during confrontational exchanges.
The timing of Messi’s appeal showed desperation as Argentina were down to 10 men after Enzo Fernandez was sent off.
Several fans and pundits came to Cucurella’s defence, arguing that the Spanish star was not using abusive language while covering his mouth. Instead, they said he was gesturing that his teammate, Pau Cubars, had taken a blow to the mouth following a heavy challenge.
The appeals were dismissed by the referee, but they drew sharp reprimands from TV pundits and fans, alike.
Speaking on ITV, former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon described the tactic as “ridiculous”.
“You shouldn’t be such a baby to try and get someone sent off for that,” he said.
Former England captain Wayne Rooney concurred.
“Argentina play like that, we know that’s what they do. The one thing you want is good sportsmanship. That was sad to see, Lionel Messi doing that.”
THUGGERY FROM ARGENTINA
Any lingering remnants of discipline evaporated entirely the moment the referee blew the final whistle to confirm Spain’s second World Cup title, courtesy of an extra-time volley from substitute Ferran Torres.
As the Spanish substitutes and staff rushed onto the pitch to celebrate, the area near the technical boxes descended into immediate chaos. Defender Nahuel Molina reportedly struck a Spanish substitute in the stomach during the initial confusion. Simultaneously, Paredes, who had spent much of the match playing on the edge after an earlier caution for shoving Dani Olmo, clashed violently with Eric Garca. Television replays showed the midfielder placing a hand on Garca’s neck and shoving him backwards.
When Spain’s Gavi intervened to separate the pair, the situation deteriorated further. Paredes lunged forward, wrestled the young midfielder, and struck him in the face before ripping at his substitute’s training bib.
The ensuing melee required the direct intervention of Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who ran onto the pitch to physically restrain his players and drag them away from the confrontation. Once order was restored, the referee issued a straight red card to Paredes for his actions.
The defeat marks a bitter conclusion to what is widely expected to be the 39-year-old Messi’s final appearance on the World Cup stage. While Spain celebrated a historic tournament victory, the behaviour of the dethroned champions has left a significant stain on the final match, with FIFA expected to review the pitchside footage before determining if additional retrospective bans will be issued.
FIFA World Cup | FIFA World Cup Schedule | FIFA World Cup Points Table | Football News
– Ends
