Former England captain Wayne Rooney has publicly criticised Lionel Messi after the Argentine superstar was seen attempting to pressure the referee into sending off Spain defender Marc Cucurella during the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. Rooney described Messi's behaviour as a sign of desperation and expressed disappointment that a player of his calibre would resort to such tactics on football's biggest stage.
Rooney Calls Out Messi's Conduct
Footage from the final showed Messi approaching the referee and appearing to lobby aggressively for Cucurella to be shown a red card. The incident drew widespread attention and put Messi's sportsmanship under scrutiny at the conclusion of the tournament. Rooney, a former Manchester United star and one of the most decorated players in Premier League history, said it was "sad" to see Messi behave that way, adding that the conduct came across as pure desperation from the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner.
According to the UK Sun, Rooney stated: "It is desperation. Argentina play like that, we know that's what they do. But the one thing you want is good sportsmanship and that was sad to see Lionel Messi doing that." Rooney's remarks carry particular weight given his standing as a recognised voice in the game since his retirement from professional football.
World Cup Final Controversy
The 2026 World Cup final between Argentina and Spain was already one of the most anticipated fixtures in recent memory, and Messi's behaviour towards the referee added an unwanted edge to the occasion. Cucurella, who has been one of Spain's standout defenders in recent seasons, was not dismissed, and the incident did not result in any disciplinary action against Messi during the match. The episode has since reignited debate around player conduct and the influence that high-profile names can have on match officials at major tournaments.
Messi Speaks After Loss vs Spain
Legit.ng earlier reported that Lionel Messi broke his silence after Argentina were dethroned as world champions, admitting Spain were the better side following a 1-0 defeat in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final on Sunday, July 19. A visibly emotional Messi said his side had given everything on the pitch despite the result.
