© Denny Medley-Imagn Images
Soccer superstar Lionel Messi is facing a bit of controversy after his first game in tis year’s World Cup.
On Tuesday, Messi and Argentina faced off against Algeria in their World Cup opening game in Kansas City.
During the game, Messi stepped on his opponent’s leg, which led to a VAR review. The VAR review did not believe Messi deserved a yellow car.
🤨 ¿ERA PARA TARJETA?
🇦🇷 Messi tiene una fuerte entrada sobre Mandi de Argelia y es amonestado.
📺 Sigue toda la cobertura de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 por Telemundo y Peacock#MundialTelemundo #Somos26 #FIFAWorldCup #Argentina #ArgentinaVsArgelia pic.twitter.com/UuY4XqHXJt
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) June 17, 2026
Messi just got away with an absolutely DISGUSTING challenge to an Algeria defenders leg.
Red card or not?pic.twitter.com/2ZU2B5j4oH
— Banter FC (@FCBanter_) June 17, 2026
ESPN’s Ale Moreno believes Messi should have gotten a red card, and ejected over the play.
“It’s 100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should’ve been.”
“It’s 100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should’ve been.”
Ale Moreno and Nedum Onuoha react to Messi’s challenge against Algeria’s Aïssa Mandi. pic.twitter.com/0h2dMLYk4l
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) June 17, 2026
Messi went on to score two more goals after his yellow card,
It was all Messi in Argentina vs Algeria 🐐 pic.twitter.com/6rD8DbEbDz
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) June 17, 2026