Copa America final: Messi fans outraged over choice of referee

They don’t want Messi winning it, do they? — Fans outraged as Referee’s identity for the Copa America final is revealed.

The anticipation for the Copa America final is reaching fever pitch as Argentina, fresh off a commanding victory over Canada with goals from Julian Alvarez and Lionel Messi, prepares to face Colombia.

While Messi and his teammates are gearing up for a tough match against a James Rodriguez-inspired Colombian side, the announcement of the match referee has sparked outrage among fans, particularly those rooting for Argentina and Messi.

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Brazilian referee Raphael Claus has been appointed to officiate the final, and this decision has not gone down well with many.

The controversy stems from a fraught history between Claus and Messi. Their most notable clash occurred in 2020 during Argentina’s match against Paraguay. Claus’ controversial decisions led to Messi’s visible frustration and the heated accusation, “two times you’ve f**ked us,” reflecting the tension between the player and the referee.

The uproar among fans is palpable. Many are questioning the wisdom of appointing a Brazilian to referee a crucial match involving Argentina, given the intense rivalry between the two nations. One fan took to social media platform X to express their disbelief:

“A Brazilian ref in a Copa America final that has Argentina in it? Seriously?!!”

Another fan echoed this sentiment, suggesting a bias against Argentina: “They just don’t want Argentina to win it at this point.”

A third fan predicted a Colombian victory, citing Claus’ supposed animosity towards Messi: “Lmao Colombia will win then. This guy hates Messi.”

However, not all fans are on the same page. Some have pointed out that Brazil has also been officiated by an Argentine referee in recent matches. One fan countered the outrage with: “Did you cry when Brazil had an Argentinian ref in their last 2 matches? Deal with it.”

This mix of frustration and counter-arguments highlights the passion and high stakes surrounding the Copa America final. For Messi, this match is not just about winning another title but also about overcoming the psychological hurdle posed by Claus’ presence on the field.

As Argentina aims to become the first nation to win three consecutive major international tournaments since Spain, all eyes will be on how Messi navigates this added layer of complexity.