Lionel Messi is often considered a model athlete, showcasing a unique combination of talent, grace, and humility. However, there are bad days for him as well, where he loses his cool. Just days after Inter Miami’s disappointing exit from the MLS Cup, Messi found himself in the spotlight again, during a tense World Cup qualifier between Argentina and Paraguay.

Argentina faced a 2-1 loss, as Paraguay took advantage of their defensive mistakes and struggles in their defense box. Messi, a player who has always commanded respect on the pitch, showed clear frustration with his team’s lack of cohesion and the referee’s calls. This confrontation adds to a series of letdowns for Messi, whose recent performances with Inter Miami. While Argentina is still leading the standings, their recent displays have sparked worries about the team’s unity and Messi’s role as a leader.

Although Argentina took an early lead with Lautaro Martinez scoring just 11 minutes in, they found it difficult to keep up the pace. Paraguay quickly equalized with a spectacular overhead kick from Antonio Sanabria, which kicked off a fiercely competitive match. As the first half neared its end, Argentina’s defense began to falter. The situation worsened when star defender Cristian Romero had to leave the field due to injury, exposing vulnerabilities in the backline and paving the way for a second-half miscommunication that resulted in Paraguay’s winning goal.

In a surprising moment that caught both fans and analysts off guard, Messi allegedly made an unusually harsh remark to the referee, calling him “a coward” and adding, “I don’t like you.” This confrontation with the referee felt out of character as if the weight of recent defeats and a demanding schedule had finally begun to affect him.

Fans react to Messi’s frustration

Reactions from fans to Messi’s unusual outburst were mixed, highlighting the immense admiration and expectations surrounding him. Devoted supporters of the Argentinian star quickly came to his defense, with many attributing his reaction to the significant pressure he endures. On social media, fans shared their empathy for his situation. “Messi is a reflection of the entire Argentine national team,” one fan tweeted.

However, not all fans were as understanding. A portion of the soccer community expressed their disappointment. “I don’t like you” it seems that he really controls the referees thanks to his Infantino, tomorrow he will tell him to fire him,” another fan wrote, “In fact, if he is a coward, he should not have been given a yellow card at least.”

Also, there were a lot of comments criticizing Messi and his actions. Someone said, “It’s been a while and nothing happens, any average player says something to a referee and gets expelled, how bad  @CONMEBOL”. Another critic said, “And the card? Hahahahaha and they keep talking about how he is an exemplary player! That’s what happens when they don’t give them anything!”

As the situation calms down, many hope this was just a one-off incident. While some fans have raised concerns about his composure, the overwhelming majority continue to stand by the player who has provided them with countless unforgettable moments. Come to the WC qualifier standings, Messi and Co. don’t have to be worried, although this was a poor result for the reigning champs.