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The captain of Argentina leaves Pineiro alone.
In the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Championship, Argentina and Switzerland played an exciting match, during which the tango dancers qualified for the semi-finals with a score of 3-1. But away from the tactical conflict, a moment that grabbed the spotlight went viral on social media platforms.
During the first half, Lionel Messi confronted Portuguese referee Joao Pedro Pinheiro after he objected to the way he was being treated.
Moments before Switzerland’s free kick, Messi was part of Argentina’s defensive wall when Pinheiro asked him to retreat to the necessary distance. However, the referee’s tone and gestures seemed to have angered the tango legend.
As the captain of the Argentina team, Messi stood his ground and demanded the referee show respect, explaining that he did not agree with his tone.
"SPEAK TO ME WELL"Messi’s statement to the referee Pineiro during the match. pic.twitter.com/wkonlHKLcU
— @90.1fmfuego (@1fmfuego) July 12, 2026
The tension did not end there. After the penalty kick was taken, the television cameras recorded another argument between the players. Messi approached the referee again, and by reading lips, his message seems clear, the newspaper writes. Brand:“Please don’t disrespect me and speak to me properly as I speak to you with all respect.”
“Despite the severity of his words, the Argentine captain remained calm, kept his hands behind his back and maintained his composure throughout the conversation. The confrontation did not result in disciplinary action, but it quickly became one of the most talked-about moments in a high-pressure game with a place in the World Cup semi-finals at stake.”
🚨 Lionel Messi to the Portuguese referee.
“Don’t disrespect me” (by @FabrizioRomano:) pic.twitter.com/r1RyrjDX7Y
— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) July 12, 2026
In turn, the Swiss newspaper Blick wrote in the title of its article about the incident: “Serious verbal argument.
Next Wednesday evening, Argentina will play England in the semi-final, and France will meet Spain in the other semi-final.
