Lionel Messi quickly became the subject of much controversy after a shocking video from the FIFA World Cup went viral.
The clip featured a heated exchange between the player and the referee over a decision that the player didn't quite seem to agree with.
During Argentina's dramatic 3-1 World Cup quarter-final victory over Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium, captain Lionel Messi clashed with Portuguese referee João Pinheiro. This was just before half-time, when the 39-year-old superstar was caught on broadcast audio demanding basic respect from the official.
He firmly stated: 'Speak respectfully, don't be disrespectful. Speak to me respectfully. I spoke to you with respect!' While Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister's early opener, the match's most controversial moment entailed Swiss forward Breel Embolo.
He was dismissed after getting a second yellow card. Pinheiro first booked Argentina's Leandro Paredes for a foul, but the VAR intervened. Replays showed Embolo had dived, and that prompted the referee to rescind Paredes' booking and send off the Swiss striker instead.