When you are quite probably the greatest footballer of all time, everything you do will attract attention. Some of it will be good, but some of it will be unwanted. It's the latter for Lionel Messi, despite his recent hat-trick to kick off Argentina's World Cup campaign.
The 38-year-old was on fire as he smashed in three goals against Algeria to give his nation a 3-0 win in their Group J opener. Messi's display in Kansas City left fans and pundits purring, as he took his tally of World Cup goals to 16 in total, now level with record holder Miroslav Klose.
In the aftermath of that game, however, one nation has now lodged an official complaint to FIFA.
Algeria Make Complaint Over Two Issues After Argentina Loss
Lionel Messi scores against Luca ZidaneSiphiwe Sibeko via Reuters
According to Reuters, Algeria have lodged a complaint about 'alleged poor refereeing' during their 3-0 loss to Argentina in their opening World Cup fixture. The report adds that 'a source with direct knowledge of the matter' has revealed that a letter was sent to FIFA’s refereeing commission, with particular reference to the first-half incident when Messi stood on the calf of Algeria captain Aissa Mandi.
While the team from Africa immediately argued that it should have been a red card, the iconic forward was not punished. Adding insult to injury, he then went on to score a hat-trick.
Beyond the Messi incident, Algeria also claim that an elbow from Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister in the face of Ibrahim Maza should have been punished. They question why it went unpunished by Szymon Marciniak. The experienced Polish referee, who was in charge of the 2022 World Cup final (won by Argentina on penalties against France), was within a meter of the incident when Mac Allister appeared to body-check Maza with a raised elbow.
Algeria’s complaint raises questions about Marciniak’s performance and that of his VAR team, led by compatriot Tomasz Kwiatkowski.
Pundits Offer Clear Verdict on Messi Incident vs Algeria
The general consensus was that Messi probably should have been sent off for the foul. ESPN pundit Nedum Onuoha said: think it should have been a red card, in my opinion. It feels like the moment was missed." He added: “The referee’s probably missed it - and I understand why he’s missed it - but for the video assistant referee [VAR] to look at that and say ‘no, that’s all fine, there’s nothing more to it’… I personally think that’s worthy of a red."
Onuoha’s co-pundit, the former Venezuela international Ale Moreno, went even further by claiming it was “100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should have been.”
United States players in a team huddle Related
US Fans Think They're Going 'Win World Cup' With Ace Who Was 'Electric' vs Australia
He was vital in the US victory.
Piers Morgan was a little more forthright with his criticism of the challenge, noting:
"He should have been sent off for this outrageous studs-up foul on Algeria’s Mandi. The fact he didn’t even get booked is ridiculous - could have broken the guy’s leg.”
Argentina will ace Austria in Dallas next, while Algeria take on Jordan in San Francisco.