Miguel Angel Neira, former Chilean midfielder, believes Lionel Messi has been overprotected by referees at the 2022 World Cup and 2024 Copa America

In the 2026 World Cup qualifying round in South America, reigning world champions Argentina will have two matches against Chile and Colombia respectively.

However, La Albiceleste will not have the services of their brightest star Lionel Messi, as the 37-year-old player is still recovering from an injury at Copa America 2024.

Messi was not present at the training session in September. Photo: Getty

Messi’s absence from this training camp has been harshly criticized by Miguel Angel Neira, a former Chilean midfielder, who believes that El Pulga does not want to contribute to the national team and is always protected by referees.

Speaking to Bolavip, Neira said: “If Messi is no longer playing, the worst thing that can happen to us is that he is not a starter. Now someone else will play and anyone is better than Messi.

If Messi used to contribute a lot, now he doesn’t. This was clearly shown in the Copa America and the qualifiers. Messi seems to no longer be attached to the Argentina national team. The referees are too favorable and protective of Messi. I just wish they did the same with Diego Maradona.”

Miguel Angel Neira harshly criticized Messi. Photo: CDF

In addition, the former Chilean player also gave his opinion on the upcoming confrontation: “The next match will depend on which squad coach Ricardo Gareca chooses, if he uses the same squad from Copa America, we will have difficulties, that’s clear. I don’t know if he will call up any new players to replace the injured ones.

Don’t worry about the referee, what we need to do is play fair, don’t defend, because then they can score at any time.”

As for Messi, the former Barca star has become one of the players with a complete collection of titles. At the 2021 Copa America, Messi and the Argentina national team lifted this title for the first time. Just one year later, La Albiceleste defeated other giants to win the 2022 World Cup title.

Messi and Argentina won the 2022 World Cup. Photo: Getty

At the Copa America 2024 taking place this summer, Messi once again led his teammates to successfully defend the title, thereby affirming his strength in the continent as well as the world.

For now, Messi is taking the first steps in training and will soon return in the near future.