Messi branded ‘baby’ after desperate bid to send Cucurella off in World Cup final defeat | Football news

Messi has been criticized after calling for Cucurella to be punished for covering his mouth with his hand during the World Cup final defeat/ Image: Screengrab

Lionel Messi found himself at the center of an unusual flashpoint during Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time defeat by Spain in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final after appearing to call on referee Slavko Vinčić to penalize Marco Cucurella for covering his mouth while speaking.The incident happened moments after Argentina were reduced to 10 men. Midfielder Enzo Fernández, already booked for dissent earlier in the game, picked up a second yellow card in stoppage time for a late tackle on Spain defender Pau Cubarsí, leaving Lionel Scaloni’s side outnumbered in the closing stages.

Messi complained about the exchange of Cucurella

While Argentina players surrounded Slovenian referee Vinčić in protest at the sending off, Spanish defender Cucurella briefly approached Messi during the break. Television cameras showed the left-back speaking with his hand partially over his mouth before he almost immediately dropped it.Messi was then seen gesticulating animatedly at the referee, apparently suggesting that Cucurella should be fined under FIFA’s recently introduced regulation regarding players covering their mouths during clashes.

The FIFA rule was explained as if no action had been taken

The law has become one of the most closely watched changes at this World Cup. Earlier in the tournament, Paraguay’s Miguel Almirón became the first player to be sent off under regulation, while Ecuador defender Piero Hincapié was also shown a red card after covering his mouth during an exchange with an opponent.However, the regulation does not consider every case of covering the mouth as an automatic exclusion. FIFA’s guidelines allow referees to consider the nature of the interaction, with sanctions applied when the action is part of an inappropriate or confrontational exchange. In Cucurella’s case, Vinčić did nothing after the criteria for dismissal were not determined.

Experts criticize Messi’s reaction

The moment, however, drew immediate criticism from several television pundits, who saw Messi’s appeal as an attempt to even the numbers after Argentina’s sacking.Speaking on ITV, former England defender Lee Dixon was particularly critical.“The game is over if you get yellow cards and red cards for that, to get someone off,” Dixon said during the live broadcast.“You shouldn’t be such a baby to try to kick someone out for that; it’s ridiculous.”BBC Sport presenter Gabby Logan also described the incident as “desperation from Messi”, while former England captain Wayne Rooney echoed that assessment.“It is,” Rooney said. “Argentina play like that, we know that’s what they do. The only thing you want is good sportsmanship. That was sad to see, Lionel Messi doing that.”Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart shared a similar sentiment, adding: “Yeah, I haven’t enjoyed it since Messi at all. He realizes how much Spain is on top of this final, Gabby, even if Lionel Messi is going back to it.”

Spain secure victory because Messi gives up

Ultimately, Messi’s protests did not affect the outcome. Spain continued to control proceedings before substitute Ferran Torres scored the game’s only goal in extra time to secure a 1-0 victory and Spain’s second FIFA World Cup title.

Spain’s Marc Cucurella (24) celebrates in front of Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) after the World Cup final soccer match between Spain and Argentina in East Rutherford, N.J., near New York, Sunday, July 19, 2026. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

For Messi, who was expected to make his final World Cup appearance at the age of 39, the evening ended in disappointment as Argentina surrendered their crown, while the debate surrounding the brief exchange with Cucurella became one of the final topics of the tournament.