Lionel Messi's latest World Cup heroics have reignited familiar conspiracy theories, with critics once again accusing FIFA of favoring Argentina. But a closer examination of the tournament's biggest refereeing controversies tells a far different story.
Nearly every decision cited as evidence of corruption aligns with the Laws of the Game and established VAR protocol rather than any coordinated effort to help the defending champions.
The narrative is hardly new. Similar accusations surfaced throughout Argentina's victorious 2022 World Cup campaign, largely fueled by disappointed rival fan bases unwilling to accept Messi's crowning achievement.
Four years later, the claims have become even louder, spreading far beyond traditional football circles and dominating social media whenever Argentina takes the field.
Instead of celebrating one of the greatest players in history producing another remarkable World Cup at nearly 40 years old, much of the online discussion has centered on allegations that the tournament has somehow been engineered in Argentina's favor.
