Messi Apologizes to Mandi After World Cup Tackle Incident

During the group stage of the 2026 World Cup last month, Algeria defender Aissa Mandi reported that Argentina captain Lionel Messi expressed regret for a rough tackle on him. The incident occurred shortly after Messi scored the first goal in the 17th minute, when he executed a studs-up challenge on Mandi’s calf.

Despite the severity of the tackle, referee Szymon Marciniak only awarded a free-kick, and VAR did not intervene. This led the Algerian Football Federation to file a formal complaint with FIFA.

Mandi stated that Messi recognized his mistake and apologized, checking on Mandi’s condition. He explained that he did not fully understand the tackle's seriousness until he was in the locker room, where he experienced significant pain and was informed that the tackle warranted a red card.

Ultimately, Argentina won the match 3-0, with Messi scoring all three goals, making him the oldest player to achieve a hat-trick in World Cup history.