Referee Asks Messi to Control Paredes in World Cup Final

A video from the 2026 FIFA World Cup final between Argentina and Spain has gone viral after showing referee Slavko Vincic asking Lionel Messi to help control his Argentina teammate Leandro Paredes.

The footage, reportedly taken from the referee’s camera, shows Vincic speaking to Messi during the match and warning him about Paredes’ aggressive behaviour. The referee appeared concerned that the midfielder could receive another disciplinary action.

In the video, Vincic can be heard telling Messi to “control Paredes” because the Argentine player had already received a yellow card. The referee wanted Messi to help calm his teammate and avoid further trouble during the match.

Paredes had entered the game at half-time and quickly became involved in several heated moments. Just six minutes after coming onto the pitch, he received a yellow card for his behaviour.

The warning from Vincic became more significant after the final whistle, when tensions between the two teams increased. Players from Argentina and Spain became involved in a heated confrontation near the end of the match.

According to the footage and reports, Paredes became involved in the confrontation with Spanish players Eric Garcia and Gavi. What started as an argument quickly created a chaotic scene involving several players from both teams.

The incident came after a dramatic final. Spain defeated Argentina after Ferran Torres scored in the 106th minute, giving Spain another World Cup title.

The victory was particularly important for Spain, as it marked their second World Cup triumph since 2010. The team had to work hard throughout the match before finally finding the winning goal in extra time.

For Argentina, the defeat was extremely disappointing. The team had fought until the final stages of the match but eventually lost after Spain found the decisive goal.

The referee-camera footage has attracted widespread attention because it provides a behind-the-scenes look at how officials try to manage players during high-pressure matches. Vincic’s decision to speak directly to Messi shows how referees sometimes rely on experienced players to help calm tense situations.

Messi’s involvement also attracted attention because of his leadership role within the Argentina team. Although he was not directly involved in the confrontation, the referee clearly believed that Messi could help keep Paredes under control.

The video has now been widely discussed by football fans, with many commenting on the unusual conversation between the referee and Messi.

The incident also highlights how quickly emotions can rise during a World Cup final. With the match decided in extra time and both teams fighting for the biggest prize in international football, tensions were extremely high.

Despite the late confrontation, Spain managed to hold on to their lead and celebrate another historic World Cup victory. Argentina, meanwhile, will look back at the match as a painful defeat after coming so close to forcing another outcome.

The viral footage has added another memorable moment to an already dramatic World Cup final and has given fans a rare view of the referee’s efforts to manage players during the intense match.