Is FIFA protecting Messi?

[Prime2417]

One of the biggest narratives on X is the belief among some fans that Lionel Messi receives favorable treatment because this may be his final World Cup.

 millions of views argues that Argentina often benefits from controversial decisions. Messi receives more protection from referees than other stars. FIFA would benefit commercially from a deep Argentina run. Others strongly reject this, saying there is no evidence of favoritism and that Argentina earned their victories on the pitch.

what do you think?

[Dosehry3]

the penalty count in that last run was a bit wild, but tbh every big team gets those 50/50 calls when they’re pushing late in a knockout match

[lorienne8]

tbh every superstar gets some extra leeway from refs, but the "FIFA script" stuff is just cope from people who can't handle him finally winning one

[oxhandi]

Another argument for another day 

[Moyinoluwa]

Yes,  it's kinda favoritism 

[Modinat11]

Yes.

[kabosoki]

Maybe 

[Dosehry622]

Yeah

[Nylix]

Yes i think

[diemhuong04]

Every big team gets criticized after controversial calls. Messi’s legacy is built on years of incredible performances, not just refereeing decisions. 

[BiggPockets]

Imagine being that good so people thing the FIFA is protecting you

 

[Jayvasu]

Everywhere politics are common, we are just targeted audience for their business

[Burgermon]

I thought I was the only one noticing 

[giddygon]

no it is big fat lie

[opinicus2]

Tinfoil hat stuff tbh. Every tournament has dodgy calls, people just notice them more when Messi's involved.

[homory]

tbh, if FIFA was really rigging it for Messi they probably would've sorted out a better script for the 2014 final 😂

[gwapakio]

lol

[Kovaenne]

tbh the handball against Croatia in 2022 was pretty wild, but every big team gets iffy calls at some point

[opinicus2]

The 2014 final comment is so real lol, if they were helping him he'd have that one already. Feels like confirmation bias more than anything.

[Sandra2]

tbh that 2014 final point always kills the conspiracy for me, if it's all scripted they did a terrible job that day 😂

[novaast]

tbh the 2014 final point always kills it for me too, if they were protecting him they really fumbled the bag that day 😂

[vaeleon92]

ngl the 2014 final argument kinda ends the whole debate for me, if they were really protecting him they wouldn't have let him lose the biggest match of his career like that

[tyxnda]

tbh I lean towards it being overblown. Every tournament has dodgy calls, and if FIFA really wanted to protect him they would've handed him the 2014 final on a silver platter instead of letting him walk past the trophy like that.

[doseori]

tbh the 2014 final really is the perfect counterpoint, if there was some grand plan they definitely forgot to flip the switch that day lol

[kazon661]

tbh that 2014 final point is the nail in the coffin for me, if they were scripting it they really wrote a tragic ending that day lol