Lionel Messi rejects favouritism claims as Argentina reach another World Cup final

• Lionel Messi dismissed claims that Argentina have benefited from favourable treatment after reaching a second consecutive FIFA World Cup final.
• The captain said Argentina’s success is built on sustained excellence over the past four years rather than outside influence.
• Argentina will face Spain in Sunday’s final after producing another dramatic comeback to defeat England 2-1 in the semifinals.

Lionel Messi has dismissed suggestions that Argentina’s run to another FIFA World Cup final has been aided by favourable officiating, insisting the reigning champions have earned their success through consistent performances rather than outside assistance.

Argentina booked their place in Sunday’s final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over England, recovering from a second-half deficit as Enzo Fernández equalised before Lautaro Martínez scored the winner in stoppage time. The comeback sparked celebrations across Buenos Aires and kept alive Argentina’s bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup.

The semifinal victory continued a tournament in which Argentina have repeatedly found ways to survive difficult moments. Lionel Scaloni’s side required extra time to overcome both Cape Verde and Switzerland before producing another remarkable recovery from two goals down to eliminate Egypt in the round of 16.

Those victories, however, have also been accompanied by criticism from opponents.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan questioned several refereeing decisions following his team’s defeat, while Switzerland manager Murat Yakin criticised the decision that led to Breel Embolo’s dismissal during the quarterfinal.

The controversy has fuelled wider claims from sections of supporters and commentators that Argentina have received favourable treatment throughout the tournament, allegations that have circulated widely on social media in recent weeks.

Messi rejected those suggestions after Wednesday’s semifinal, arguing Argentina’s achievements over the past four years speak for themselves.

“We’ve been the best over these past four years, whether people like it or not,” Messi said.

“Once again, we’ve established ourselves among the top two teams in the world.”

“That proves everything we’ve achieved is no fluke and that nothing was handed to us.”

The debate intensified after Argentina’s quarterfinal against Switzerland.

Shortly after Dan Ndoye equalised for the Swiss, referee François Letexier initially booked Leandro Paredes before a video review determined Breel Embolo had simulated the challenge. Because Embolo had already received a yellow card earlier in the match, the Switzerland forward was sent off, leaving his side to complete the contest with 10 players.

Yakin described the decision as a turning point and questioned the regulation that allowed the intervention.

“It’s very painful that we were eliminated that way,” he said after the match.

Egypt also voiced its frustration following the round-of-16 defeat, with the Egyptian Football Association issuing a statement criticising what it described as inconsistent officiating and the application of VAR.

Argentina had previously declined to engage with the growing criticism.

Scaloni had urged reporters earlier in the tournament to avoid paying too much attention to social media speculation, but both the coach and his players addressed the subject more directly after eliminating England.

Messi pointed to Argentina’s consistency on the biggest stage as evidence that their achievements have been earned.

“Reaching two consecutive World Cup finals is something very few teams achieve,” he said.

“If we had lost to England, there would have been people coming out to say all kinds of things.”

“But we didn’t give them the chance.”

Fernández admitted his celebration after scoring the equaliser against England reflected the criticism directed at Argentina throughout the tournament.

The Chelsea midfielder cupped his ears before gesturing toward the crowd, saying afterward that the celebration was driven by the emotion surrounding the team’s continued success.

“There was a lot of talk,” Fernández said.

“It was a mix of euphoria and frustration.”

Scaloni also rejected suggestions that Argentina’s progress has been influenced by outside forces, arguing that modern technology leaves little room for manipulation.

“This talk of help will always exist,” Scaloni said.

“With VAR today, it’s very difficult for that to happen.”

“We knew there was no help.”

Argentina will now attempt to defend their world title when they face Spain in Sunday’s World Cup final, with Messi and his teammates one victory away from another place in football history.