While Lionel Messi himself remains as beloved as any athlete on the planet, the team he captains has become the most distrusted side at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Argentina are one match away from defending their World Cup title, but heading into Sunday’s final against Spain, the mood surrounding them is not celebratory; it is suspicious. Messi remains as beloved as any athlete on the planet: humble, generational, and adored well beyond Argentina’s own fanbase. And yet, the team he captains has become the most distrusted side left in the tournament, mocked online as “VARgentina.” A petition calling for Argentina’s expulsion has reportedly gathered millions of signatures, and in Chile, two-thirds of respondents believe officiating has consistently tilted in Argentina’s favour.
It is a jarring duality: adore the man, resent the team.
One call that actually helped the Argies
Buried early in the tournament is the one incident that arguably worked in Argentina’s favour and yet receives the least attention. In the group stage against Algeria, Messi stepped on the calf of Algerian captain Aissa Mandi—a challenge that, under the laws governing serious foul play, could plausibly have been a red card. No card was shown, and Messi finished the match with a hat-trick.
