Poll: Messi's UK net favorability plunges from +46 to -15 amid Argentina team controversies

Hupu, July 22 — According to Daily Mail reporter Luke Power, a series of controversial actions by the Argentina national team at the 2026 World Cup have significantly damaged Lionel Messi's reputation among the British public. YouGov polling data shows the Argentine star's net favorability rating among Britons has dropped sharply from +46 before the tournament to -15 — now even far below his long-time rival Cristiano Ronaldo, who sits at -2.

Data Plunge

Before the World Cup, Messi enjoyed a 55% positive rating among the British public, with only 9% holding a negative view. Currently, his positive rating has plummeted to 29%, while the negative rating has soared to 44%. Daily Mail senior columnist Jeff Powell has reportedly removed Messi from his top five players of all time due to the player's conduct during the tournament.

To be fair, Messi — who scored eight goals throughout the competition — often appeared as a composed and refreshing contrast to his more aggressive teammates. After the final whistle on Sunday, he rose from the ground to shake hands with Yamal, while other Argentina players were involved in a brawl. The entire Argentina team also turned their backs on the podium during the trophy ceremony in Spain. Argentina lost 0–1 to Spain after extra time, with Ferran Torres scoring the winner in the 106th minute.

Final Controversy: Attempt to Get a Red Card

However, Messi himself was involved in a regrettable incident during the final — he attempted to use tournament rules to have Cucurella sent off. After Cucurella briefly covered his mouth with his hand, Messi immediately complained to the referee. Under FIFA's rules for this tournament, a player covering their mouth with a hand in a confrontational situation results in a red card — as was the case with Paraguay's Almiron and Ecuador's Incapie. However, Cucurella was clearly not speaking in a confrontational manner, and neither the referee nor VAR intervened. The act was widely condemned as unsportsmanlike.

Controversial Decisions Throughout the Tournament

Allegations of referee bias favoring Argentina persisted throughout the competition. In Argentina's first group match against Algeria, Messi stepped on the right calf and Achilles tendon of Algerian captain Mandy with his studs during a challenge after scoring the opening goal. Messi did not even receive a yellow card — he went on to score a hat-trick in that match.

Egypt reacted most strongly after being eliminated by Argentina in the Round of 16. Coach Hassan fumed in a post-match interview:

"We played better, but football is unfair. It might be a marketing issue; they want a World Cup with a defending champion surviving, and they need Messi to stay in the tournament. Why is there no fairness in sports? We suffered an injustice today."

Switzerland was also furious after being eliminated by Argentina in the quarter-finals. Referee Joao Pinheiro first showed a yellow card to Paredes, then was called to review by VAR under the new "mistaken identity" rule. The replay showed Embolo actively contacting Paredes with his right leg before falling, resulting in Embolo receiving a second yellow card and being sent off. Even though the decision itself was correct, Switzerland remained indignant.

• Xhaka said: "It's painful to lose a match because of a referee's decision. I don't think they would have beaten us 11 vs 11."
• Akanji claimed: "When the referee is against you, everything becomes difficult. Every small move is called a foul against us, while every dive and foul by the Argentines goes unpunished."
• Coach Yakin bluntly stated: "It's incomprehensible and unjustified."

Falklands Controversy and Political Shadows

Argentine players repeatedly sang controversial songs about the Falkland Islands throughout the tournament and held up banners reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas." FIFA's rules explicitly prohibit political singing, slogans, and banners in tournament venues — Haiti was forced to make changes just days before the opening ceremony due to small independence war elements on their jerseys. However, Argentina has not faced any punishment from FIFA for displaying controversial banners after the semi-final against England. They even received support from the US government, with White House FIFA Working Group head Andrew Giuliani publicly stating: "In the United States of America, we believe in our First Amendment rights."

FIFA's credibility has long been low, and a phone call from Donald Trump to suspend the ban on US forward Balogun — allowing him to play against Belgium — has done nothing to restore confidence in the organization.

Source: Daily Mail