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Lionel Messi drew sharp criticism from fans during Sunday's World Cup final after appearing to try to get Spain's Marc Cucurella sent off during a tense, goalless stretch of extra time against Argentina.
The moment came in the closing stages of normal time, with Argentina's Enzo Fernandez already sent off after picking up a second yellow card for a late challenge on Pau Cubarsi.
As tempers continued to fray, Messi was seen appealing to referee Slavko Vincic that Cucurella had covered his mouth while speaking to an opponent, an offense that has resulted in red cards for two players at this year's tournament under a newly introduced FIFA rule. Officials did not act on the appeal. It comes as Argentina committed one final unsportsmanlike act during Spain's medal ceremony.
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The gesture did not sit well with fans watching the match, many of whom took to social media to criticize Messi's attempt to influence the officiating.
"What was that from Messi trying to get Cucurella sent off. I was cringing so bad," one fan wrote. Another said, "Lost so much respect for Messi trying his hardest to get Cucurella sent off there."
A third fan was more blunt, writing, "Lol Messi trying to get Cucurella out... Terrible being," while another simply called him "such a rat" for the attempt.
The incident added to what had already been a tense and often bad-tempered final.
Argentina, already down to 10 men following Fernandez's dismissal, had struggled to generate any attacking threat for the majority of the match, failing to register a single shot on goal through the full 90 minutes, a first in modern World Cup final history.
Spain, by contrast, dominated possession and created the better chances throughout, though they were unable to find a breakthrough against a resolute Argentina defense, sending the match into extra time.
Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes previously drew criticism during the semifinal against England for a similar attempt to have Harry Kane penalized under the same mouth-covering rule.
That effort was likewise unsuccessful, as the rule applies specifically to confrontations between players rather than conversations with match officials.
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Argentina's discipline problems ultimately proved costly. Down to 10 men following Fernandez's second-half red card, the defending champions failed to register a shot until the 116th minute of extra time, and Ferran Torres struck for Spain in the second period of extra time to secure a 1-0 win and Spain's second World Cup title.
Messi's chase for another trophy, and any lingering frustration over the Cucurella incident, ended in heartbreak, with the 39-year-old's storied World Cup career likely drawing to a close without the fairytale ending many had hoped for.
