2026 World Cup: Moreno Criticizes Referee for Not Issuing Red Card to Messi in Algeria Match

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

Messi scored all three goals that secured a 3‑0 win for Argentina, yet the 38‑year‑old avoided any disciplinary action in the first half.

About thirty minutes into the game, Algeria’s Aissa Mandi was seen in pain after Messi tackled him from the studs‑up, striking the defender’s calf.

Referee Szymon Marciniak let the match continue without issuing even a yellow card to Messi, a decision that surprised many spectators. The former Barcelona star went on to score twice in the second half.

Moreno was among those who found the referee’s decision unsatisfactory, arguing that Messi warranted a red card and calling the challenge “clumsy.”

He also pointed to what he described as “preferential treatment,” noting that FIFA president Gianni Infantino was seen smiling in the VIP section after Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane saved one of Messi’s attempts.

“It’s 100% a red card for Lionel Messi,” Moreno said on ESPN. “It should have 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 VAR was not called to review the tackle before the referee’s decision. “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?” he asked.

“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 from the knee down to his ankle. It should have been a red card,” he added.

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