“This is a yellow card, but it’ll cost you your jersey” - Ex-FIFA referee says he helped Lionel Messi avoid suspension in Copa America final vs Brazil
Former FIFA referee Carlos Chandia has revealed his decision to favor Lionel Messi during the 2007 Copa America semi-final by not showing him a yellow card. This happened in the match against Mexico when the legendary Argentine playmaker handled the ball in midfield. If Messi had received a yellow card for the foul, he would have been suspended in the final against Brazil.
La Albiceleste ran out eventual winners in their semi-final clash that year, as they beat Mexico 3-0, with Messi getting on the scoresheet. Carlos Chandia revealed, though, that the forward might not have played in the final, where Argentina lost 3-0 to Brazil on 15 July 2007 in Venezuela.
On ESPN FShow, the former FIFA referee opened up on the shocking revelation about the events of the semi-final in 2007 (via GiveMeSport):
"Out of nowhere, Messi lifts a ball and touches it with his hand, but in the middle of the pitch. There was no goal-scoring chance for the Mexican team or anything like that. So, I told him: 'This is a yellow card, but it will cost you your jersey,' and I didn't show him the yellow card.
"There were two-and-a-half minutes left, and the score was 3-0. Showing him a yellow card would would have taken away his chance of playing in the Copa America final."
Notably, the legendary Argentine had picked up a yellow card in the 51st minute, and a second yellow would certainly have gotten him suspended. The ex-referee went on to reveal that Lionel Messi kept his word, adding:
"He gave me the shirt in the dressing room afterwards. In fact, he wanted to take it off on the pitch and I told him: 'No, no, no, no; take it to the dressing room'. And he came to the dressing room with the jersey and left it there for me."
Although Argentina went on to lose that final, Lionel Messi was awarded the Best Young Player of the tournament. He scored two goals and provided an assist.
Lionel Messi has gone on to lead Argentina to glory
Argentina did not win the Copa America that year or in the many years after. In fact, they were arguably often unlucky in tournaments, and they did not win any trophies until the Copa America in 2021.
It was a masterclass tournament from Lionel Messi, who led them to four goals and five assists in their seven games. They also won La Finalissima against Italy in 2022, with Messi leading them to lift their second trophy in two years.
Later that year, Argentina won the World Cup in Qatar, with the legendary playmaker scoring seven goals and providing three assists. He also won the Player of the Tournament award. In 2024, he led them to successfully defend their Copa America trophy, as they secured their fourth trophy in just three years.