Commotion Around Lionel Messi Draws Criticism: 'Let's Please Stop'

According to former top referee Mario van der Ende, Messi was fortunate to escape punishment after a harsh tackle on Algeria's Aïssa Mandi. The 38-year-old superstar attempted to win the ball but planted his studs firmly on Mandi's Achilles tendon. "Red card, a tackle like that could seriously injure an opponent," the former official told this site.

On the Sportnieuws.nl World Cup podcast, Seuntjens and Maaskant were asked for their take on Messi's challenge. "Yellow," Maaskant responded decisively. Seuntjens fully agreed. "Completely agree. The intensity just isn't high enough. It wasn't a deliberate kick to his calf, and it looks much worse in slow motion."

According to the 37-year-old Lommel SK striker, who played a crucial role in the Belgian second-tier club's promotion last season, discussions about these types of incidents are too often overblown. Situations like this frequently result in red cards but also often create division between referees and former footballers.

"He only intended to play the ball there, and that happens often. People will now say it's Messi, and referees go easier on him. But to launch into a whole conspiracy theory? Let's please stop," the analyst continued.

Seuntjens believes the focus should be much more on Messi's impressive performance. The Argentine scored a hat-trick and also broke two records: most World Cup goals and most World Cups played. "Let's talk about that, because a red card, for me, is going way too far."

Maaskant then chimed in, laughing. "Unless it had been against the Netherlands, then it would have been a clear red card. Just like in 2022, when Messi should have received his second yellow card for that handball. Then we would have become world champions," the former coach concluded the topic.

In the new Sportnieuws.nl World Cup football podcast, Robert Maaskant, along with Ralf Seuntjens and football observer Aron Kattenpoel, discuss the latest developments surrounding the World Cup. They talk about the striker who, according to the gentlemen, is becoming the tournament's sensation, the painful situation surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo with Portugal, and urgent advice for Rafael van der Vaart after his apologies on national television.

Additionally, the gentlemen discuss the support Lionel Messi is receiving from Dutch circles after all the commotion and look ahead to a potentially significant advantage for the Oranje at the World Cup. Listen to a new episode every day at 7:30 AM on your favorite podcast platform.