Why Piers Morgan called Lionel Messi ‘sneaky cheating leader’ after World Cup final

Piers Morgan has stirred a new debate after slamming Argentina football legend Lionel Messi as “sneaky cheating leader” following the FIFA World Cup final.

The blasting criticism from the renowned broadcaster comes in response to Messi’s alleged efforts to get Spain’s Marc Cucurella sent off the field during the final held on Sunday, July 19.

Taking to X, Morgan fired back, “One of the most pathetic things I’ve ever seen from a supposed sportsman. Messi’s fake halo shattered in this World Cup; he was the sneaky cheating leader of a vile bunch of violent thugs.”

The incident in question happened during stoppage time when television cameras captured Messi and Cucurella engaged in a heated exchange. Cucurella was seen approaching Argentina’s star while covering his mouth.

Meanwhile, Messi rushed over to referee Slavko Vincic and argued that Spain’s player should be shown a red card under FIFA’s new rules. Under the rule, the authorities could ban players from covering their mouths during confrontational exchanges.

While several pundits defended Cucurella's actions, Piers Morgan blasted Messi, accusing him of using underhanded tactics to try and get the Spanish defender sent off.

Morgan's comments drew mixed reactions from netizens. One user wrote, “Such things not only damage legacies, they kill them. He should learn from Salah how he controlled his team after the match when they were arguing with the referees.”

Some supported Messi and commented, “Messi's fake halo somehow survived 8 Ballon d'Ors, a World Cup, two Copa Americas, and nearly two decades at the top. Meanwhile, some people are still hoping that if they tweet hard enough, Ronaldo's resume will rewrite itself.”

In the FIFA final, Spain defeated Argentina 1-0 and lifted the World Cup trophy.