Lionel Messi found himself at the centre of fresh controversy during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after attempting to draw the referee’s attention to an incident involving Spain defender Marc Cucurella.
The Argentina captain appealed for disciplinary action after claiming Cucurella breached one of FIFA’s newly introduced tournament rules.
However, the request was ignored, and the moment quickly sparked debate among pundits and football fans.
Heated Moment Follows Argentina Red Card
The incident unfolded during the second half shortly after Argentina were reduced to ten men.
Midfielder Enzo Fernández received his second yellow card of the match following a challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, leaving the defending champions facing an uphill battle.
As several Argentine players surrounded referee Slavko Vinčić to protest the dismissal, tensions continued to rise around the official.
Messi Points Out Alleged Rule Violation
Amid the discussions with the referee, Cucurella briefly covered his mouth while speaking to Messi.
Under FIFA’s updated tournament regulations, deliberately covering the mouth while communicating can result in disciplinary action, including a possible red card in certain circumstances.
Messi immediately alerted Vinčić to the gesture, seemingly hoping the Spanish defender would also face punishment.
The referee, however, chose not to intervene and allowed play to continue without taking further action.
Former Defender Slams Argentina Captain
The incident prompted strong criticism from former England defender Lee Dixon, who was commentating on the match for ITV.
Dixon questioned Messi’s actions, arguing that players should not attempt to have opponents dismissed over incidents of that nature.
He suggested football would be diminished if such appeals regularly resulted in red cards and criticised the Argentine captain for trying to influence the referee’s decision.
His comments quickly became one of the talking points of the broadcast.
Fans Split Over Messi’s Conduct
The controversy rapidly spread across social media, where supporters and critics debated Messi’s behaviour.
Some users accused the Argentine star of trying to exploit the new regulations, with several describing the appeal as unnecessary and unsportsmanlike.
Others defended Messi, arguing that players are entitled to report potential breaches of the laws if they believe an offence has occurred.
The discussion added another layer of drama to an already tense World Cup final.
FIFA’s New Rule Already Tested Earlier in Tournament
The mouth-covering regulation had already attracted attention earlier in the competition.
Paraguay international Miguel Almirón became the first player dismissed under the new rule during the group stage, highlighting FIFA’s determination to enforce the updated guidelines throughout the tournament.
That earlier decision made Messi’s appeal against Cucurella all the more notable, although this time officials opted against issuing any sanction.
Spain Complete Victory Despite Late Drama
Messi’s unsuccessful appeal ultimately had no impact on the outcome of the final.
Spain secured a 1-0 victory after Ferran Torres scored the decisive goal deep into extra time, ending Argentina’s hopes of retaining the World Cup title.
The match concluded with further controversy after the final whistle, when Leandro Paredes was sent off following an incident involving Spain midfielder Gavi, bringing an emotional and dramatic World Cup final to a fiery conclusion.
