The incident occurred just before a free-kick for Switzerland. Lionel Messi was standing in Argentina's defensive wall. At that time, referee João Pedro Pinheiro instructed him to move back to the required distance. However, Messi was unhappy with the referee's tone and manner of speaking.
In response, the Argentine captain directly said, ‘Speak to me properly.’
Even after the free-kick was taken, a brief conversation took place between the two. Television footage showed Messi calmly approaching the referee and saying, ‘Speak to me properly. Do not disrespect me. I have spoken to you with respect, you speak to me the same way.’
Throughout the incident, Messi appeared calm and composed. Despite delivering a stern message, he did not exhibit any aggressive behavior. As a result, the referee did not issue any warning or card to him.
On the other hand, Argentina emerged victorious in the on-field battle. In a thrilling extra-time match, the Albiceleste defeated Switzerland 3-1 to secure their place in the semi-finals.
The 38-year-old Portuguese referee João Pedro Pinheiro is known as one of Europe's most experienced match officials. After making his debut in Portugal's top league in 2015, he received FIFA international referee recognition. He has experience officiating multiple important matches, including the UEFA Champions League, Europa League, and UEFA Super Cup. Based on that experience, he is officiating in the 2026 World Cup.
