Algerian national team player Issa Mandi clarified what happened after Argentina's Lionel Messi tackled his foot in the 2026 World Cup.
The Algerian national team lost to Argentina 3-0 in the first match of the World Cup thanks to a hat-trick scored by Messi.
Algerian national team player Issa Mandi said in statements reported by the "ultraalgeria" website: "Messi's tackle? I felt a strong blow, but I didn't realize its severity at the time."
He added, "After returning to the locker room, I watched the replay and was told that the tackle deserved a red card."
He added, "Messi apologized to me immediately and asked if I was okay, and from the look on his face I realized that he knew he had made a mistake."
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Messi tackled Mandi's foot from behind in an incident that sparked controversy due to the Argentine not being sent off or the video technology being used to review the play.
Messi scored three goals in a "hat-trick" in the 17th, 60th and 76th minutes.
The Algerian national team was eliminated from the 2026 World Cup by Switzerland in the round of 32, while the Argentine national team lost the chance to win the title after losing the final 1-0 to Spain.
Issa Mandi announced his retirement from international play with the Algerian national team jersey after the end of the Fennecs' campaign in the 2026 World Cup. (Read more)
