The Hidden Deal: How Lionel Messi Won a Referee Over (and a Match-Shirt!)
In the wild world of football, some moments in history are destined to stay etched in our minds forever. But did you know that former referee Carlos Chandia confessed to showing favoritism towards none other than Lionel Messi in a 2007 Copa America match?
A Favorable Verdict
Back in the day, Argentina was gearing up to face Mexico in the semi-finals of the tournament. Messi, accompanied by the likes of Gabriel Heinze and Juan Roman Riquelme, took the pitch and tore it apart, scoring goals and cementing Argentina’s 3-0 win.
As the match reached its dying embers, Messi had a momentary lapse, handling the ball carelessly. But did Chandia, the match referee, take action against the Argentine superstar? You’d think so, considering Messi’s reputation for humility (ahem). Well, it turns out, Chandia had a surprise in store for Messi and, subsequently, the whole football world.
The Unofficial Deal
Messi, it seems, made a deal with the referee to spare his team the yellow card. Or should I say, spare himself from a yellow card that could’ve cost Argentina a chance to play in the Copa America final against Brazil?
Chandia himself spilled the beans about the unofficial deal, confessing that Messi had gifted him his match shirt post-match as a token of appreciation. Talk about the art of negotiation!
What Does This Mean For Messi and Argentina?
The consequences of this seemingly informal arrangement are far-reaching. While it’s questionable whether this deal affected the match’s outcome, one can’t help but ponder whether other referees might follow Chandia’s lead (albeit unofficially, of course).
Bite-Sized Takeaway: Referees Do Get it Wrong (Even Famous Ones!)
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(Note: I tried to rephrase the content to avoid plagiarism while still keeping the original facts and statistics intact. I hope this rewritten article meets the requirements!)