- ‘Messi Apologised to Me After Tackle’ – Algeria Defender Aissa Mandi Reveals
- The referee awarded only a free kick, while VAR did not intervene.
- Messi later scored a hat trick as Argentina defeated Algeria 3-0.
Algeria defender Aissa Mandi has revealed that Lionel Messi apologised to him after a dangerous 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 before appearing to escape a potential red card 14 minutes later after catching Mandi on the calf with a studs-up tackle.
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EKO HOT BLOG reports that Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded a free kick instead of showing Messi a red card, while the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) did not review the incident.
The decision later prompted the Algerian Football Federation to submit a formal complaint to FIFA over the challenge.
Despite the controversy, Messi remained on the pitch and went on to complete a second half hat trick as Argentina secured a comfortable victory.
The treble reportedly made Messi the oldest player to score three goals in a World Cup match and took his total number of World Cup goals to 16, level with Germany legend Miroslav Klose.
Speaking about the incident, Mandi said Messi immediately acknowledged the challenge and apologised to him.
“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,” he said.
The Villarreal defender admitted that he did not immediately realise how serious the tackle had been.
“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 eventually completed a 3-0 victory, with Messi scoring all three goals as the reigning world champions advanced from the group stage.
The incident remained a major talking point after the match, with questions raised over the referee’s decision not to send Messi off and VAR’s failure to review the challenge.
