Messi demanded red card for Cucurella over mouth-covering gesture in World Cup final

Argentina captain Lionel Messi called for Spain defender Marc Cucurella to be sent off for covering his mouth while speaking to him during the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Under a rule, players may be shown a red card for covering their mouth during a confrontation with an opponent. Referee Slavko Vinčić, however, rejected Messi's appeal and took no action.