Revealed: Lionel Messi struck mid-game referee deal to avoid major final ban – with Argentina superstar’s shirt worth more to match official than following the rules

Back in 2007, Messi formed part of the Argentina squad chasing down continental glory in Venezuela. The Albiceleste proved too strong for Mexico at the semi-final stage, as they built a commanding 3-0 lead, but a rash handball in the closing stages threatened to cost Messi a caution and subsequent suspension.

Rather than hand out a yellow card, match official Carlos Chandia has revealed how he reached an agreement with Messi that stood to benefit all parties. He has told ESPN FShow: “Out of nowhere, Messi lifts a ball and touches it with his hand, but in the middle of the pitch. There was no goal-scoring chance for the Mexican team or anything like that. So, I told him: 'This is a yellow card, but it will cost you your jersey,' and I didn’t show him the yellow card. There were two-and-a-half minutes left, and the score was 3-0. Showing him a yellow card would would have taken away his chance of playing in the Copa America final.”

Messi honoured his promise behind the scenes afterwards, with Chandia adding on clearing the path for a future all-time great to line up against arch-rivals Brazil in an eagerly-anticipated final: “He gave me the shirt in the dressing room afterwards. In fact, he wanted to take it off on the pitch and I told him: 'No, no, no, no; take it to the dressing room'. And he came to the dressing room with the jersey and left it there for me.”

Chandia admitted back in 2020 that he is no longer in possession of the famous jersey, telling TNT Chile of why his agreement cost him a shot at refereeing a showpiece event in South America: “I don’t remember the number, but I remember the smell. Not the best. My son has it now, he keeps it. The truth is that I think that because I didn’t give him the yellow card, Brazilians ended up saying something and that’s why I wasn’t the main referee of the Copa America final.”

While Messi went on to grace the 2007 Copa America, said outing proved to be one to forget. Brazil ran out comfortable 3-0 winners on the day, with eight-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi having to wait until the 2021 Copa before finally getting his hands on major silverware at senior international level.