Referee Slavko Vincic clears Messi amid World Cup final controversy

Referee Slavko Vincic has put an end to the swirling speculation surrounding Lionel Messi’s conduct in the 2026 Copa do Mundo final between Spain (Espanha) and Argentina, stating in an interview with the Slovenian newspaper Sport that the Argentine captain displayed exemplary behaviour throughout the match.

Vincic, who officiated the decisive game between Espanha and Argentina, said he deliberately avoided feeding any controversy about the private conversation he had with Messi on the pitch.

Messi had earlier been criticised for gesturing with his hand to his mouth in an attempt to force the expulsion of Marc Cucurella, a move that some described as invoking the so‑called Vini Jr. Law.

Images of a dialogue between Messi and Vincic circulated on social media after the final, prompting a range of fan interpretations.

Na the same interview, the referee said, “I will leave this conversation on the field, but I can say Messi had a sportsmanship,” a comment that effectively ends rumours of any disagreement between the Argentine captain and the officiating team.

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During the post‑match press coverage, the English newspaper accused Messi of “shaming his own legacy” after the confusion surrounding the decision against Espanha.

Vincic also reflected on the honour of refereeing the biggest game in football, noting that his FIFA appointment initially came as a shock before turning into pride for representing Slovenia on the world stage.

He added that the magnitude of the decision between Espanha and Argentina amplified the responsibility for the entire refereeing crew, and that they had to live up to the trust placed in them.

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According to Vincic, a referee’s whole career can be summed up by a single match; the responsibility is enormous, yet he believes his strategy was correct.

He defended the use of VAR, explaining that the speed of modern football makes it impossible to see every incident without technology, and said, “It is possible to correct an error by reviewing the images. I cannot imagine refereeing without it.”

The interview was given a few days after Vincic confirmed his retirement from international refereeing, leaving the 2026 World Cup final as his final major commitment.