Algeria defender Aissa Mandi has revealed that Lionel Messi apologised to him immediately after a reckless challenge during Argentina’s 3‑0 victory over the North Africans at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Messi opened the scoring in the 17th minute. Fourteen minutes later he caught Mandi on the calf with a studs‑up tackle that many believed warranted a red card. Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded only a free‑kick, and VAR did not intervene.
The decision prompted the Algerian Football Federation to lodge a formal complaint with FIFA. Despite the controversy, Messi remained on the pitch and completed a second‑half hat‑trick, becoming the oldest player to score three goals in a World Cup match. The treble also lifted his World Cup tally to 16, level with Miroslav Klose.
Speaking about the incident, Mandi said the Argentina captain acknowledged his mistake straight away.
“Messi recognised that he had made a mistake and quickly came over to apologise and check on my condition. I told the referee: ‘Look, that was a high tackle,’ and when I got back up, I indicated that VAR should review the play,” Mandi explained.
The Villarreal defender added that he did not grasp the seriousness of the challenge until after the match.
“The significant difference between you as spectators watching on screen and us on the field is that you see the replay and can gauge the force of the tackle within five seconds, while we do not have that advantage,” he noted.
“I certainly felt the impact, but I did not realise its severity until I was in the locker room, where I experienced intense pain and was informed: ‘That tackle deserved a red card; watch the replay.’”
Argentina sealed a comfortable 3‑0 victory, with Messi scoring all three goals as the reigning world champions advanced from the group stage.
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