Müller suggests referees favored Messi at the 2010 World Cup

Müller suggests referees favored Messi at 2010 World Cup

According to Championat.

Why this matters

Thomas Müller's statements about refereeing at the 2010 World Cup reignite discussions about the influence of referees in decisive matches. The game between Germany and Argentina, where Müller was one of the highlights, is an emblematic example of how refereeing decisions can impact the performance of players and teams. The perception that Lionel Messi receives preferential treatment could affect the Argentine star's image and the dynamics of football rivalries.

Main conclusions

• Müller suggests that referees favored Messi at the 2010 World Cup.
• Thomas Müller, former Germany midfielder, commented on how Lionel Messi always seemed to receive support from referees at World Cups, bringing up the 2010 game between Germany and Argentina.
• «Лео будто намекал арбитру: «Помогите хоть немного». Мюллер — о Месси in ЧМ-2010.

Former Germany and Bayern Munich player Thomas Müller made a controversial statement when he stated that Lionel Messi always had the help of referees in World Cups. During an interview, Müller recalled the game between Germany and Argentina in the quarter-finals of the 2010 World Cup, where the German team won 4-0. Müller commented on a specific episode of the match: "We were ahead on the scoreboard when, in one play, the ball bounced and hit my hand. The referee didn't hesitate and immediately showed me a yellow card. I have the impression that this happened because Messi was very close to me. It gave the feeling that he [Messi] was suggesting to the referee: 'We are losing 0-2, please help us a little'", said Müller, according to the website Goal. This yellow card had a significant impact on Müller's trajectory in the competition. Due to the card, he was left out of the semi-final against Spain, where Germany lost 1–0, resulting in the team's elimination. Müller, who was one of the highlights of the 2010 World Cup, with five goals scored, expressed his frustration with the situation and the feeling that the refereeing could have influenced the match. Müller's speech reignites debates about Messi's performance in World Cups and how he is perceived by players and fans. The discussion about the influence of refereeing in decisive games is recurrent in football, especially in important competitions such as the World Cup. As we approach the 2026 World Cup, which will be held in the United States, Mexico and Canada, these questions about the role of referees and the protection of talented players like Messi gain new contours and relevance. The World Cup is a stage where refereeing mistakes and successes can define the history of national teams, and Müller's words bring to light the eternal discussion about how football's biggest names are treated on the field. With Messi expected to be able to participate in another World Cup, all eyes will be on how he will be treatedby the referees and whether he will again be the target of criticism or praise in this context.

What happens next

The controversy generated by Müller's statements could lead to an increase in discussions about refereeing at World Cups, especially in relation to Messi. Furthermore, the situation may motivate FIFA to re-evaluate its guidelines on the performance of referees in high-level matches. The repercussion of these statements could also influence the way fans and analysts view Messi's performances in future international competitions.