Lionel Messi found himself in a rare spot during Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat to Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after he was seen urging referee Slavko Vinčić to penalize Marc Cucurella for covering his mouth while speaking.This came as Argentina were reduced to 10 men. Midfielder Enzo Fernández, who had already been booked for a challenge earlier in the game, received a second yellow card in stoppage time after a challenge on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, leaving Lionel Scaloni’s side facing a final score.
Messi complains about the transfer of Cucurella
As Argentina’s players surrounded Slovenian referee Vinčić to protest the dismissal, Spanish defender Cucurella briefly approached Messi in stoppage time. Television cameras showed the left-hander speaking while covering his mouth with his hand before immediately lowering it.Messi was then seen speaking to the player, appearing to suggest that Cucurella should also be punished under FIFA’s recently introduced rules on players keeping their mouths shut during disputes.
FIFA’s policy explained that nothing has happened
This rule has been one of the most scrutinized changes at this World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off under the rule, while Ecuadorian defender Piero Hincapié was also shown a red card after covering his mouth in an exchange with an opponent.However, this rule does not make every period of silence a submission. FIFA’s guidelines allow the referees to consider how the interaction is carried out, with penalties applied as part of inappropriate exchanges or confrontations. In the case of Cucurella, Vinčić did not take any action after realizing that the dismissal had not been carried out.
Pundits criticize Messi’s actions
The moment was criticized by several media pundits, who saw Messi’s request as an attempt to score points after Argentina’s dismissal.Speaking on ITV, former England defender Lee Dixon was tough.“The game is over if you’re getting bookings and red cards for that, so someone can be sent off,” Dixon said on television.“You don’t have to be a baby to try to get someone out for this; it’s ridiculous.”BBC Sport reporter Gabby Logan described the incident as “disappointment with Messi”, while former England captain Wayne Rooney echoed the same sentiment.“Yes,” said Rooney. “Argentina plays like that, we know that’s what they do. One thing you want is a good game. It was sad to see, Lionel Messi doing that.”Former England international Joe Hart was of the same opinion, adding: “Yeah, I wasn’t happy with it at all from Messi. He realizes how high Spain is in the final, Gabby, even if Lionel Messi is back. “
Spain wins as Messi kneels
In the end, Messi’s performances did not affect the results. Spain continued to dominate the proceedings before substitute Ferran Torres scored the only goal of the game in extra time, securing a 1-0 win and Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title.
Spain’s Marc Cucurella (24) celebrates in front of Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
For Messi, who was expected to appear in the final of the World Cup at the age of 39, the evening was disappointed when Argentina surrendered their crown, while the controversy surrounding the short exchange with Cucurella became one of the final points of the tournament.