“Messi cannot be touched because they blow a foul for just touching him” – Peru star slams referee after loss to Argentina

Paraguay v Argentina – FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifier – Source: Getty

Peru striker Paolo Guerrero has slammed the referees after his side’s 1-0 defeat to Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers. He claimed the referees made life difficult for defenders marking Lionel Messi, even giving a foul for just ‘touching him’.

Lautaro Martinez scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute at La Bombonera on Tuesday, November 19. Argentina’s win against Peru marked Lionel Messi’s last game in the 2024 calendar year.

La Albiceleste sit atop the CONMEBOL nations’ standings comfortably with 25 points from 12 games. Ahead of their victory against Peru, Argentina had lost 2-1 to Paraguay in the World Cup qualifiers on November 14.

In a post-match interview, Peru star Paolo Guerrero indicated that the referee favored the Argentine captain and called fouls on any touches on him. He said (via Ariellipillo on X):

Barcelona legend Lionel Messi set to launch bike with a price tag between €10,000-15,000: Reports

“I want you to know that” – Florentino Perez sends message to Vinicius Jr after Real Madrid lost Ballon d’Or to Rodri

Leganes 0-3 Real Madrid: Los Blancos’ Player Ratings as Valverde and Vinicius put in strong displays in routine win | LaLiga 2024-25

“The refereeing was on one side, Messi cannot be touched because they blow a foul for just touching him, and you in the press don’t say anything and you know it well.”

Expand Tweet

La Pulga assisted Lautaro Martinez’s goal and also recorded one shot on target. The Argentine was fouled five times in the game. Overall, La Albiceleste fouled their opponents 10 times in the match while Peru recorded 18 fouls. They received three yellow cards while Argentina received none.

(All match statistics are as per SofaScore and are subject to change as per the website’s prerogative.)

“He can’t do that” – When former referee criticized Lionel Messi’s behaviour in Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Paraguay

Lionel Messi – Source: Getty

In an exclusive statement to Football Insider, former referee Keith Hackett criticized Lionel Messi for his behavior towards the match official in Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Paraguay.

“There’s no question that he might be annoyed by the referee’s performance, but he can’t do that. Therefore, I’d expect the referee to report the behavior, then the authorities to take that on board. Certainly, in Europe, that’d be a special incident report, and the authorities would then act,” he said.

Hackett’s statements came after the legendary Argentine was seen arguing with referee Anderson Daronco during their game against Paraguay. The Inter Miami ace was fouled multiple times by Omar Aldarete and demanded the referee show him a second yellow. However, Daronco ignored his pleas.

According to a video captured by SBS Sports, La Pulga told Daronco at half-time:

“You’re a coward, I don’t like you!”

The 2-1 loss to Paraguay saw Lautaro Martinez score La Albiceleste’s only goal of the match (11′). Martinez’s strike was cancelled by Antonio Sanabria’s effort in the 19th minute. Omar Aldarete’s goal (47′) in the second half sealed the win for Paraguay.

Related Posts

BBC News reports: 30 minutes ago! President Trump issues shocking warning about deporting Billionaire Elon Musk from the US after Tesla’s tax breaks were removed … more 3

In a jaw-dropping twist that has the nation buzzing, former President Donald Trump has fired a cryptic yet chilling warning at tech titan Elon Musk, escalating their high-stakes feud to…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 1 hour ago in Las Vegas. At the age of 55, after attending Amas, the family of star Jennifer Lopez just announced to fans the urgent news that she has… more

Published: 00:52 BST, 16 June 2025 | Updated: 03:49 BST, 16 June 2025 Just hours ago, a bombshell announcement from Jennifer Lopez’s family sent shockwaves worldwide: the global superstar is facing a serious health…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 1 hour ago in Las Vegas. At the age of 55, after attending Amas, the family of star Jennifer Lopez just announced to fans the urgent news that she has… more

Published: 00:52 BST, 16 June 2025 | Updated: 03:49 BST, 16 June 2025 Just hours ago, a bombshell announcement from Jennifer Lopez’s family sent shockwaves worldwide: the global superstar is facing a serious health…

Read more

BBC News reports: Andy Byron – CEO of Astronomer, who was caught on camera hugging the company’s HR director at a Coldplay concert, could not handle the pressure so he had … more..

Astronomer’s message on Saturday indicated it was now trying to move on from the scrutiny over the video: “Before this week, we were known as a pioneer in the DataOps…

Read more

SAD NEWS: Just 30 minutes ago in Mississippi, USA, ɑt the age of 71, Oprah Winfrey’s family has just announced to her followers that she is currently… More-

Just hours before she was scheduled to appear live on CBS Mornings to reveal her latest book club pick, the media icon was hospitalized with a severe stomach virus that…

Read more

SAD NEWS: 30 minutes ago Amal Clooney, wife of “Good Night, and Good Luck” star and screenwriter George Clooney, sadly announced in tears that at the age of 64 he had …. more

George Clooпey Officially Retires at 64 – Amal Clooпey Emotioпally Aппoυпces Her Hυsbaпd’s Decisioп to Eпd His Career This morпiпg, пews shocked aпd moved the global film commυпity: George Clooпey,…

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *