A video clip revealed details of an altercation between Lionel Messi, captain of the Argentina national team, and the Portuguese João Pinheiro, referee of his team's match against Switzerland.
Lionel Messi
Club: Inter Miami
The Swiss national team bid farewell to the World Cup at the hands of the defending champions after losing 3-1 in a match that saw the expulsion of the team's striker Breel Embolo in the 72nd minute.
The Argentine ESPN network revealed Messi's entry into a heated argument with the Portuguese referee João Pinheiro.
Messi said according to the video translation: "Speak to me with respect, and do not insult me, I am speaking to you with respect so do not diminish my respect."
The referee awarded 18 fouls in favor of Argentina compared to 14 in favor of Switzerland, sent off Embolo for receiving two cautions, and showed 3 yellow cards to Argentina.
The Argentina national team reached the semi-finals for the second consecutive time, which happens for the first time since 1986 and 1990 when they won the first title and lost the second at that time.
The Argentina national team has not lost in the last 13 matches in the World Cup, with 11 wins and two draws.
The match witnessed Switzerland falling behind in the score for the first time during the 2026 edition.
The Argentina national team will meet England next Wednesday in the golden square at Atalanta Stadium at ten in the evening.
