The stern warning that the referee of the World Cup final gave Messi so that he would control one of his teammates
New images from the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina reignited the debate over Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić. FIFA released scenes from the match filmed from the official’s perspective using “RefCam” technology.
In one of the sequences, Lionel Messi appears and the referee can be heard asking him to intervene with Leandro Paredes.
The phrase that raised questions
“Messi, control Paredes. Control Paredes. He has a yellow card, I don’t want to send him off”, Vinčić can be heard saying, according to the released transcript of the footage.
Lionel Messi’s reaction says it all as Leandro Paredes clashes with Spain players
Those few seconds quickly sparked reactions among fans, especially in Spain. On social media, some interpreted the dialogue as a sign that the referee was trying to avoid giving Paredes a second yellow card and, therefore, sending him off.
However, the images show the conversation, but do not by themselves prove that Vinčić deliberately favored Argentina. What is recorded is the referee’s request to Messi to help control a player who had already been booked.
The council did not prevent the conflict
Ironically, the referee’s request ended up being insufficient.
Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 in extra time, with a goal by Ferran Torres in the 106th minute, and was crowned world champion.
After the final whistle, tension resurfaced. Paredes became involved in an altercation with several Spanish players and was sent off after the end of the match. Other incidents also took place between members of both delegations.
Subsequently, the FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings over the incidents that occurred after the final.
“The RefCam sequence thus once again put Vinčić under the spotlight, although for now the recording makes it possible to confirm the dialogue between the referee and Messi.
The final ended with Spain lifting its second World Cup, but the previously unseen footage added a new chapter to the discussion about the refereeing in one of the tournament’s most tense finals.
Crédito: Link de origem