English media 'attacks' Messi over World Cup final chaos

Several English media outlets have launched scathing attacks on Lionel Messi over chaotic incidents that took place during the final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Ferran Torres’ extra-time goal sealed a 2-1 victory for La Roja, easing past the Albiceleste in what was a tense and feisty encounter, leaving Paredes and Argentina defeated.

After the final whistle, Paredes, who had already been booked, was seen in an altercation with Eric García, repeatedly pushing the Barcelona defender, who remained calm and did not retaliate. During the confrontation, Gavi intervened to defend his teammate, but Paredes unleashed his anger on the young Spaniard.

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Paredes immediately shoved and punched Gavi, who fell to the ground. It took the intervention of Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni, match officials, and players from both sides to separate them and calm tensions.

Messi did not approach the scene to intervene, appearing saddened by the final result. The former Barcelona legend became the subject of criticism from the English media for failing to condemn the actions.

Some outlets claimed Messi is no longer among the top five players in football history or worthy of the Greatest of All Time (GOAT) debate, while noting that his support among Britons has declined drastically.

Headlines from English Media

“Revealed: Lionel Messi’s reputation among Brits plummets to staggering new low after Argentina’s shameful World Cup campaign” (Daily Mail Sport)

“Lionel Messi’s humiliation laid bare: A missing wife and crying like a child as his Argentine thugs disgraced themselves… how this World Cup exposed the GOAT’s dark arts shame” (Daily Mail Sport)

“Argentina disgraced themselves and the World Cup final with their charmless petulance, our columnist writes. It was a tetchy, petulant and disgraceful performance by the now deposed world champions” (The Athletic)

“Jess Powell MBE: Why unapologetic imposter Lionel Messi is now not even in the top five players of all time – and will forever be tainted as the leader of Argentina’s brutes in the ugliest World Cup final ever” (Daily Mail)

Read the tweets below:

Revealed: Lionel Messi's reputation among Brits PLUMMETS to staggering new low after Argentina's shameful World Cup campaign https://t.co/7KkbrLHBUM

— Daily Mail Sport (@MailSport) July 22, 2026

JEFF POWELL MBE: Why unapologetic imposter Lionel Messi is now not even in the top five players of all time - and will forever be tainted as the leader of Argentina's brutes in ugliest World Cup final ever https://t.co/6R7uB0S9Mu

— Daily Mail (@DailyMail) July 20, 2026

JEFF POWELL MBE: Why unapologetic imposter Lionel Messi is now not even in the top five players of all time - and will forever be tainted as the leader of Argentina's brutes in ugliest World Cup final ever https://t.co/cFA1EteYJU

— Daily Mail Sport (@MailSport) July 20, 2026

🇦🇷 "From beginning the end, it was nasty from Argentina..."

😳 "I've changed my mind on Messi. It was like he was grassing on Cucurella!"

Andy Goldstein hammers Argentina for their "dark arts" at the World Cup pic.twitter.com/dtybR93U6E

— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) July 20, 2026