IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect
Argentina’s World Cup run has been a disaster for Messi’s publicity in the UK.
Two weeks ago, Argentina knocked England out of the World Cup.
After the game, several Argentinian players, including Messi, stood with a banner saying “The Falkland Islands are Argentinian,” which references a conflict over the Falkland Islands between the two nations in 1982.
🚨🇫🇰 PICTURED: Argentina’s players hold up a sign saying “Las Malvinas” are Argentine
This is factually inaccurate, as the Malvinas, officially named the Falkland Islands, are British pic.twitter.com/0Uy7ViRNFm
— Politics Global (@PolitlcsGlobal) July 15, 2026
Apparently, the Argentinians’ demonstration at the World Cup did not sit well with British people.
According to a poll from YouGov, Messi’s favorability has seen a downward spiral in the UK after the World Cup.
Near the start of the tournament, after the first group games had been played, a majority of Britons (55%) had a favourable view of the Argentinian number 10, putting him on a par with England forward Marcus Rashford. This view largely held during the round of 16 matches, by which point the public still viewed Messi favourably by 50% to 11%.
Now the tournament has ended, though, just 29% of Britons have a positive opinion of the legendary playmaker, while 44% see him unfavourably, turning a net rating of +46 into one of -15 in roughly a month.
The British tabloids seem to fueling the Messi hate with absurd headlines on social media.
What a disgusting headline by Daily Mail about Lionel Messi. pic.twitter.com/GwbZwhBBIo
— Gina Milan (@ginamilan_) July 21, 2026
Despite the hate, UK fans still believe Messi is the GOAT soccer player.
Among all those at lest fairly interested in football, 38% back Messi as the greatest footballer of all time, relative to 16% favouring his arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo. A further 34%, however, feel a different footballer holds the crown.