Peru Striker Accuses Referees of Favoring Messi
Peruvian striker Paolo Guerrero has expressed frustration with the officiating in his team’s 1-0 defeat to Argentina in a 2026 World Cup qualifier. Guerrero claimed that the referee was overly lenient towards Lionel Messi, allowing the Argentine superstar to receive preferential treatment.
The Peruvian forward criticized the referee for awarding free-kicks to Argentina even for minor contact with Messi. He argued that this biased officiating made it difficult for Peru to compete effectively.
Despite the defeat, Argentina secured a crucial victory and maintained their strong position at the top of the CONMEBOL standings. Messi played a key role in the match, providing the assist for Lautaro Martinez’s goal.