Messi's UK Favorability Plummets Amid Argentina Team Controversies at 2026 World Cup
According to a Daily Mail report citing YouGov poll data, Lionel Messi's net favorability among the British public dropped sharply from +46 before the 2026 World Cup to -15 after the tournament, with positive ratings falling from 55% to 29% and negative ratings soaring to 44%. The decline is attributed to a series of controversial actions by the Argentina team, including alleged referee bias, Messi's attempt to get Spain's Cucurella sent off in the final, and political gestures such as singing about the Falkland Islands and displaying banners reading 'Las Malvinas son Argentinas.' Multiple eliminated teams—Egypt, Switzerland—complained about unfair refereeing. FIFA did not punish Argentina for political banners, and the US government supported Argentina's actions. Argentina lost the final 0-1 to Spain after extra time.
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