Once an idol to a large number of English fans, Lionel Messi is now facing an unexpected backlash. The latest survey shows that controversies at the 2026 World Cup have caused the Argentine captain’s reputation to decline significantly.
Following the conclusion of the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi unexpectedly became the center of a major debate in England. According to the latest survey from YouGov, the level of popularity for the Argentine superstar dropped sharply in just a short period. This is considered one of the most notable nose-dives in the image of a world top player in the United Kingdom.
Specifically, the percentage of British people with a favorable view of Messi dropped from 55% to 29%, while negative opinions rose to 44%. The net favorability score of the 2022 World Cup champion also plummeted from +46 down to -15, lower even than Cristiano Ronaldo (-2). According to British media, the cause stems from a series of controversies involving Messi and the Argentina national team throughout the tournament, with several incidents sparking strong reactions from fans.
One of the most frequently mentioned situations occurred in the final against Spain. Messi was criticized for reacting to the referee, demanding a red card for Marc Cucurella after the defender raised his hand to his lips while speaking on the pitch. The incident related to FIFA’s new regulations regarding mouth-covering during communication quickly generated a wave of controversy, even though in reality Cucurella had not covered his mouth, but merely raised his hand to his lips.
The controversies did not stop at the final match. Right from the opening match against Algeria, Messi was alleged to have stamped his studs into the calf and Achilles tendon of captain Aissa Mandi. Although the Algerian player suffered an injury, the referee issued no card, and VAR did not intervene either. This decision led many in England to argue that the Argentine captain received special favoritism.
Suspicions grew further as several managers and fans publicly criticized the refereeing performance. Among them, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan argued that referee and VAR decisions consistently favored Argentina in order to “protect” Messi and help him advance deep into the 2026 World Cup. This viewpoint quickly spread and placed additional pressure on the 39-year-old superstar’s image.
Besides the on-pitch issues, British public opinion reacted harshly to Argentine players repeatedly displaying banners and singing chants related to the Falkland Islands (Malvinas), a topic particularly sensitive for Great Britain. Nevertheless, Messi still scored 8 goals at the tournament and created a positive highlight when he proactively shook hands to congratulate Lamine Yamal after the defeat against Spain, amid a backdrop where many of his teammates were busy brawling or turning their backs as their opponents lifted the trophy.
