Lionel Messi has responded to critics who allege that Argentina has benefited from favorable officiating in the lead-up to the World Cup final, asserting that the team's success is a result of their merit and hard work.
"We’ve been the best over these past four years, either you like it or not, and no matter what anyone says," Messi stated after Argentina's semifinal victory over England. "Once again, we’ve established ourselves among the top two teams in the world. That proves that everything we’ve done is no fluke and that nothing was handed to us."
The defending champions reached their second consecutive World Cup final after a dramatic 2-1 win against England, coming from behind in the late stages of the match. This victory has led to widespread celebrations in Buenos Aires.
Argentina's path to the final has included several close games, including wins in extra time against Cape Verde and Switzerland, and a comeback from a 2-0 deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2. These results have drawn criticism from opposing coaches and fans who believe the team has received preferential treatment from officials.
Swiss coach Murat Yakin expressed his frustration over a refereeing decision that led to a player being sent off, stating, "It’s very painful that we were eliminated that way." Similarly, the Egyptian Football Association issued a statement citing what they perceived as unfair and biased officiating.
However, Argentina's coach, Lionel Scaloni, has previously advised against paying too much attention to such claims, suggesting journalists "not to consume so much social media." He also commented that with the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, it is highly improbable for a team to receive significant help without it being obvious.
Enzo Fernandez, whose goal leveled the score against England, acknowledged that his celebration was a direct response to critics. His gesture, interpreted as a challenge to detractors, reflected a mix of elation and frustration.
The semifinal match also carried echoes of a long-standing dispute between Argentina and Britain over the Falkland Islands, which Argentina refers to as the Malvinas. Following the win, Argentina players posed with a banner proclaiming, "The Malvinas are Argentine," prompting the British government to urge FIFA to investigate the team's conduct.