Messi's "Brilliant" Night Had a Foul So Bad, Piers Morgan Said He Could've Broken a Leg

Alright, Seattle, listen up, because even when it's not our Sounders out there, the soccer world is absolutely buzzing, and some of us (me included) are scratching our heads. Lionel Messi, yeah, *that* Messi, just had a "brilliant" performance, bagging a historic hat-trick in Argentina's 3-0 beatdown of Algeria. But hold your celebratory cheers, because according to English broadcaster Piers Morgan and a couple of other pundits, that night should have ended a whole lot differently for the Inter Miami star. We're talking about a studs-up challenge so wild, it could have changed the entire game.

The "Outrageous" Challenge Nobody Called

You know Piers Morgan, the guy who's always got something to say, especially when it comes to his guy, Cristiano Ronaldo. Well, he was quick to jump on social media after the match, and he wasn't pulling any punches. Despite Messi's incredible play, Morgan was absolutely furious about an incident right after the half-hour mark in the first half. He tweeted, "Brilliant performance by Messi last night, but he should have been sent off for this outrageous studs-up foul on Algeria’s Mandi. The fact he didn’t even get booked is ridiculous, could have broken the guy’s leg." Yikes! Footage shows Messi giving Algeria's Aissa Mandi a push on the back, and then, boom, his left foot nailed the back of Mandi's right calf. Mandi went down hard, and while Messi immediately checked on him, the r

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efs just let the play go. No card, no nothing. Talk about some questionable officiating. What were they even watching from the VAR booth, or are some players just untouchable?

Pundits Agree: That Was a Red Card, Plain and Simple

And it wasn't just Morgan feeling the frustration. Former football stars Nedum Onuoha and Ale Moreno doubled down on the idea that Messi absolutely deserved a straight red. Onuoha, speaking on ESPN UK, didn't mince words, saying, "I’m going to approach this the same way Messi did, and I think it should have been a red card, in my opinion. It feels like the moment was missed." He even pointed out that Messi himself looked concerned, knowing he'd likely done something that could land him in hot water. Moreno took it a step further, echoing what many fans already suspect, "100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should have been. I tell you what else is concerning, and it plays along this narrative that great players get preferential treatment." It really makes you wonder if the rules apply to everyone equally, doesn't it? Even though Mandi and his coach didn't question the call after the game, the optics here are tough to ignore. So, while Messi went on to complete his historic hat-trick, the shadow of that uncalled red card hangs heavy over the victory. Algeria will try to bounce back when they face Jordan next Monday in Santa Clara, California. We'll be watching to see if the officiating improves, or if the "preferential treatment" narrative continues to play out on the global stage.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.