Claims of Messi unfollowing Enzo Fernandez debunked after viral post

Claims of Messi unfollowing Enzo Fernandez debunked after viral post

Reports claiming that Lionel Messi unfollowed teammate Enzo Fernandez on Instagram following Argentina's defeat in the World Cup final have been debunked. The rumor gained traction via a viral social media post by an X user named Mardiyyah, which alleged a heated confrontation occurred in the dressing room immediately after the match.

According to the viral post, Messi entered the dressing room in an angry state and accused Fernandez of being the cause of the loss. The post claimed the tension stemmed from a red card Fernandez received toward the end of the game, which forced Argentina to play with 10 men. The post included a screenshot of a search for the accounts Messi follows, which purportedly showed that Fernandez was not among them.

However, independent verification conducted by LiveMint found the claims to be false. The verification confirmed that Messi is still following Enzo Fernandez on Instagram; the midfielder, who wears the number 24 jersey, is one of the 368 people Messi follows on the platform.

The viral post, which garnered over 5,50,000 views, sparked a polarized debate among social media users. Some defended Messi's reported actions, while others criticized him for a perceived lack of leadership. One user argued that calling out a teammate after a final was a sign of ego rather than leadership, noting that Fernandez had carried the midfield throughout the tournament. Another user suggested that the team overall had underperformed and questioned why the loss was affecting the players so deeply, stating, It’s just a football match, man!

The controversy centers on a critical moment in the final against Spain, which Argentina lost 0-1. Fernandez, who had been a key player in the midfield during the tournament, was sent off in the 93rd minute. The red card followed a second yellow card issued by referee Slavko Vincic for a reckless challenge on Spanish centre-back Pau Cubarsi. Reports indicate that Cubarsi was aware Fernandez was already on a yellow card and utilized theatrics to make the challenge appear more dangerous, leading to the dismissal without a VAR consultation.

The defeat has drawn harsh criticism from analysts. Former England defender Gary Neville told Sky Bet that while he admired Argentina's resilience in taking the match into extra-time, he believed the team played terribly and played like a bag of s***. Neville argued that Argentina's chemistry and competitive spirit often mask performance shortcomings and that the team has been carried by the brilliance of Messi.

Argentina struggled to create chances throughout the final, failing to register a single shot until deep into extra-time. The match was eventually decided in the 106th minute by a goal from Ferran Torres.

As Argentina departs New Jersey without the trophy, the focus shifts to the future of the national team and whether they can evolve beyond their dependence on Messi, who may have played his final World Cup. This transition mirrors challenges faced by other footballing nations; for example, Portugal is currently navigating the potential commercial and branding impact of the eventual retirement of Cristiano Ronaldo.