Lionel Messi confronted referee João Pedro Pinheiro during Argentina's World Cup quarter-final against Switzerland, telling the official not to disrespect him. The incident occurred in the second half of the match, which Argentina won 3-1 after extra time to book a semi-final clash with England.
Messi's Heated Exchange with the Referee
The 39-year-old Inter Miami forward was part of Argentina's defensive wall when Pinheiro instructed him to move back to the required distance. Messi appeared frustrated by the Portuguese referee's tone and gestures. After the free-kick was taken, Messi approached Pinheiro and said: 'Speak to me properly. Don't disrespect me. Speak to me properly; I spoke to you properly.'
The exchange was out of character for Messi, who typically lets his football do the talking. However, it did not affect his performance, as he played the full 120 minutes and helped Argentina secure victory.
Match Summary: Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring for Argentina in the 10th minute from a corner. Switzerland equalised through Dan Ndoye midway through the second half. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored in extra time to seal Argentina's place in the semi-finals.
Argentina will now face England in Kansas City on Wednesday, July 15 at 8pm BST. The winners will play either France or Spain in the final of the 2026 World Cup.
Messi on Facing England
After the match, Messi spoke about the upcoming semi-final against England, describing them as 'powerhouses'. He said: 'Everything I have seen and remember [about Argentina vs. England from 1986] is from videos and images that Argentinians constantly watch and relive. But I think this group is used to playing football matches regardless of the opponent.'
'Obviously, playing against England is special because they are a powerhouse, and matches against powerhouses are always special. Personally, it's the first time I'm going to play against them. I've played against everyone except England, so it will be nice for that reason too. And we'll experience it for what it is: a World Cup semi-final against a powerhouse, a great team, and we'll try to arrive in the best possible shape to compete again.'
