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Lionel Messi, his response to the accusations

Lionel Messi took advantage of his last match with Argentina to criticize the rumors surrounding supposed favoritism from which the

By Manu Tournoux · French Football Weekly

Published: Wednesday, 7 October 2026 at 9:21 AM

Key Things to Know

Lionel Messi rejected claims that Argentina benefited from referee favoritism during the World Cup.
Messi addressed the rumors following his final international match for Argentina, a 3-0 victory over Benin.
The Argentine captain stated that the team simply reached their physical limits after intense knockout matches.

The Story in 60 Seconds

Lionel Messi dismissed allegations of referee favoritism toward Argentina during the World Cup during his farewell match for the national team. Playing his final international game against Benin at the Monumental stadium, the captain addressed conspiracy theories, stating that nothing strange occurred and emphasizing that the squad's journey was built solely on hard work and exhaustion.

Argentina reached the World Cup final after defeating England 2-1 in the semi-finals, before ultimately falling 1-0 after extra time to Spain. Messi highlighted the intense physical and emotional toll on the squad, rejecting claims that outside assistance helped guide their tournament run.

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Lionel Messi, his response to the accusations

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