Lionel Messi avoided a red card and a potential World Cup ban after his dangerous foul during Argentina's 3-0 win over Algeria. The 38-year-old was at his brilliant best as his stunning hat-trick sealed the victory for the World Cup holders in their opening game in Group J. However, Messi was perhaps fortunate to be on the pitch for the entire game following his foul on Algeria captain Aissa Mandi in the first half. The incident happened after Messi's first goal as Argentina's talisman raked his foot along Mandi's right calf and Achilles tendon.
VAR Controversy
Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a free-kick to Algeria but Messi did not even receive a yellow card. VAR opted not to intervene, seemingly deeming the challenge as careless, rather than reckless or use of excessive force. If Messi had seen red, the Inter Miami forward would have been ruled out of Argentina's next group game against Austria on June 22.
Expert Opinions
Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha told ESPN: 'I think it should have been a red card, in my opinion. I think it feels like the moment was missed because obviously the stills make it look quite bad, but when the player was on the floor, you could see Messi had a level of concern towards him because he knew he'd potentially done something there which could get him into trouble.'
IFAB Definitions
- Careless: When a player shows a lack of attention or consideration when making a challenge or acts without precaution. No disciplinary sanction is needed.
- Reckless: When a player acts with disregard to the danger to, or consequences for, an opponent and must be cautioned.
- Using excessive force: When a player exceeds the necessary use of force and/or endangers the safety of an opponent and must be sent off.
Onuoha added: 'I think the referee's missed it, and I understand why the referee has missed it, but for the Video Assistant Referee to look at that and say, 'no, that's all fine, there's nothing more to it', I personally think that is worthy of a red card.'
Former Venezuela international Alejandro Moreno agreed: 'It's 100 per cent a red card for Messi, it should've been. I tell you what else is concerning, it plays along this narrative that great players get preferential treatment. When he [Messi] was about to score his hat-trick but Zidane made a save, a shot showed Gianni Infantino [FIFA's president] in the stands smiling like, 'oh man, that was close.' It does play into that narrative – these guys get a different sort of treatment. If you see the live video, it felt like a bad challenge to begin with, you see the replay, someone has to take a look at this, why isn't Szymon Marciniak being called over to see this? It should have been a red card for Messi. As much as I love Lionel Messi, it was a clumsy challenge, a bad challenge and you're raking the back of someone's calf from the knee down to the ankle, it should've been a red card.'
