Lionel Messi has been criticized for trying to exploit a new World Cup rule immediately after Enzo Fernandez was sent off.
Lionel Messi showed his dismay by trying to get Marc Cucurella sent off for gagging during the World Cup final.
The Argentina captain was hoping for a point against Spain moments after Enzo Fernandez received a red card.
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Chelsea star Fernandez he was released during the normal time stoppage against Spain after receiving two yellow cards.
Already booked for opposition, the 25-year-old was given his marching orders to mount a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi.
But shortly after Fernandez’s red card, the Argentine players surrounded Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic.
Cucurella was caught on camera talking to Messi – only for the 39-year-old to report the new Real Madrid star for shutting up.
Commentator Jim Proudfoot said on TalkSPORT: “Lionel Messi, when speaking to the referee, was not happy that Marc Cucurella went over to one of the Argentinian players with his mouth shut.
“Messi was saying legally now, that should be considered as an act of opposition, and that should be a red flag. But nothing happened after that.”
England legend, Wayne Rooney, was among the comedians who were not satisfied with Messi’s poor performance.
The Manchester United star said it was ‘sad to see’ on TV and admitted it was a sign of despair.
“It’s (desperation). But that’s how Argentina play, we know that’s what they do, and the one thing you want is to play well.
“It was sad to see Lionel Messi do that.”
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Messi was heavily criticized for trying to get Cucurella sent off
Joe Hart added: “I didn’t like that from Lionel Messi.
“Seeing that, you see how high Spain is with Lionel Messi coming back to that.”
Lee Dixon, on the other hand, even called Messi a ‘child’ for his actions during the broadcast on ITV.
“The game is no more if you are going to book red cards for that, to get someone out,” he said live on air.
“You don’t have to be such a child to try to get someone fired for that; it’s ridiculous.”
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Earlier in the tournament, Miguel Almiron was the first player to be sent off with a red card for covering his mouth after arguing with an opponent.
Ecuador defender Piero Hincapie was then shown a red card during his country’s 2-0 defeat by Mexico in the round of 32 for the same action.
However, the star of England, Jude Bellingham, avoided the same when he closed his mouth talking to Jordan Ayew from Ghana in June.
The rule was introduced by FIFA ahead of the 2026 World Cup because of Benfica midfielder Gianluca Prestianni, who was banned for six matches by UEFA for homophobic conduct during a Champions League match against Real Madrid in February.
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