Messi ‘came quickly to apologise’ after World Cup tackle, reveals Algeria defender Mandi

Former Algeria international Aissa Mandi has revealed that Lionel Messi immediately apologised to him on the pitch after the controversial challenge that sparked uproar during the 2026 World Cup group-stage match between Algeria and Argentina.

The fixture, which Argentina won 3-0, was overshadowed in the first half by a 31st-minute incident in which Messi made a heavy tackle on Mandi’s leg, just minutes after scoring the opening goal. Refereeing specialists later argued the challenge warranted a red card.

Polish referee Szymon Marciniak awarded only a foul and did not show a card, with no intervention from the video assistant referee (VAR). The decision led the Algerian Football Federation to submit an official complaint to FIFA after the match.

Speaking on the Kampo podcast, Levante defender Mandi said Messi immediately recognised he had overstepped the mark.

“Messi knew he was wrong, and that’s why he came quickly to apologise to me and check how I was,” Mandi said. “At the same time, I told the referee that the tackle was strong, and when I got up I signalled that the incident needed to be reviewed on VAR.”

Player’s perspective on controversial challenge

Mandi explained that, from a player’s viewpoint, he did not initially grasp how serious the tackle had been, highlighting the contrast between the experience on the pitch and what television viewers see at home.

“The big difference between the fans watching the match on TV and us on the pitch is that they can see replays within seconds and understand how strong the tackle was, while we don’t have that advantage,” he said.

“I felt pain at the time, but I didn’t realise how dangerous the challenge was until I went back to the dressing room. The pain had increased, and people around me told me that the incident deserved a red card. Then I watched the replay.”

Despite the controversy, Messi stayed on the field and went on to complete a hat-trick, scoring all three goals in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Algeria.

Argentina’s World Cup run and Mandi’s international farewell

Argentina’s campaign at the 2026 World Cup ultimately ended in disappointment as they finished runners-up. They were beaten 1-0 after extra time by Spain in the final, a match in which they played with 10 men following the dismissal of midfielder Enzo Fernandez.

For Mandi, the tournament came towards the end of a distinguished international career. The defender recently announced his retirement from international football with Algeria, having become the most capped player in the history of the Desert Warriors.

Mandi’s account of the incident adds fresh detail to one of the most debated refereeing flashpoints of the 2026 World Cup, while underlining the immediate remorse shown by Argentina’s captain on the pitch.