A harsh tackle by the Argentine star Lionel Messi in the 30th minute against the Algerian central defender Aïssa Mandi that did not merit the VAR review by the Polish whistler Szymon Marciniak, generated a wave of criticism against FIFA for an alleged preferential treatment for the South American.

This action somewhat tarnished the magical night that the current Inter Miami player had, who established a new mark with the most goals scored in a World Cup with 16, tied with the German Miroslav Klose, especially because the television replays showed the seriousness of Messi's foul and that it undoubtedly merited the red card.

The controversial play was generated in the 30th minute when Lionel tried to steal the ball at the start of Algeria, he wanted to take advantage of a slight hesitation from central defender Aïssa Mandi to steal the ball; However, he only made one foul in which he left the “iron” on his rival's calf.

The television images perfectly demonstrate that Messi does not hit the ball, but rather hits the leg of the Algerian defender, but the whistler Szymon Marciniak and the whistlers in the VAR considered that it was not for expulsion and Messi was not even reprimanded.

The referee's action and omission has generated discussions on social networks that consider that Messi has preferential treatment from the FIFA authorities and assure that there is the idea that, when the ball is divided, Messi will have preferential treatment from the authorities of the football organization.

Social networks were filled with questions and criticisms of Argentina, clearly also of the refereeing, which left something to be desired, since also – in Algeria's offside – a frame was taken in which the player of said team is not touching the ball.

It is not the first time that Messi has been involved in this type of controversy and where at the end of the day the authorities have decided to protect him at any cost in order to maintain the competition and the interest of the fans with one of his best cards.