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🇮🇸 Iceland /Sports

Messi Confronts Referee: 'Don't Show Me Disrespect'

From Morgunblaðið · () Icelandic

Translated from Icelandic, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Outcome reported
  • Lionel Messi had a verbal exchange with referee Pedro Pinheiro during Argentina's World Cup match against Switzerland.
  • The incident occurred as Switzerland prepared for a free kick, with Messi feeling the referee was being overly assertive.
  • Messi reportedly told the referee, "Speak to me properly. Don't show me disrespect. Speak to me properly, I spoke to you properly."

Lionel Messi engaged in a heated exchange with Portuguese referee Pedro Pinheiro during Argentina's World Cup quarter-final victory over Switzerland. The incident unfolded in the 112th minute, shortly after Argentina took a 3-1 lead in extra time following a controversial red card for Switzerland.

As the Swiss team prepared to take a free kick and the Argentinian players formed a defensive wall, Messi, positioned in the wall, took issue with the referee's proximity and demeanor. According to ESPN Argentina, Messi directly addressed Pinheiro, expressing his displeasure.

"Speak to me properly. Don't show me disrespect. Speak to me properly, I spoke to you properly," Messi was quoted as saying to the referee. The tense moment highlighted the high stakes and emotions involved in the crucial knockout match. Argentina is set to face England in the semi-finals next Wednesday.

Speak to me properly. Don't show me disrespect. Speak to me properly, I spoke to you properly.

— Lionel MessiAddressing referee Pedro Pinheiro during Argentina's World Cup match against Switzerland.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Morgunblaðið in Icelandic. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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