Messi, Argentina Conspiracy Theories Before Semifinal

Key Facts and Social Media Backlash

Lionel Messi, one of soccer’s wealthiest stars with a net worth of $1.1 billion, is now at the center of a wave of conspiracy theories. AI‑generated memes depict him as a princess cozying up to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, gaining hundreds of thousands of likes across platforms. A post on X has racked up more than a million views and 90,000 likes since Tuesday, claiming Infantino is happy because he has “taken out all of Messi’s competition.” A TikTok video accusing Messi of offering “millions” for extra penalty kicks has been liked more than two million times.

The “FIFA’s princess” label dates back to the 2022 World Cup, but the controversy intensified after Argentina’s hard‑fought 3‑2 win over Egypt in the knockout stage. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan called the game “unfair” and said his team “suffered injustice” after a goal was voided and a potential foul by Argentina went unchecked. Hassan later suggested FIFA “wanted to keep the world champion in the competition,” implying a desire to keep Messi in the tournament.

Argentina’s Road to Semifinals and Allegations

Argentina advanced to the semifinals without facing any of the top 13 ranked teams, a fact that critics cite as evidence of an easy path. The Argentine Football Federation reported investigating a hack that sent mass emails to reporters alleging corrupt refereeing calls in the Egypt match. The emails warned, “The robbery will not go unnoticed,” describing the result as a “corruption” of the game. Egypt’s football association also issued a statement saying it “cannot remain silent” and raised serious doubts about the fairness of the decisions.

Despite the tumult, Argentina’s manager Lionel Scaloni dismissed the favoritism claims. “People have been saying those kinds of things about Argentina for a very long time,” Scaloni said, noting that social media amplifies every debate. FIFA’s refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina also rejected the allegations, stating that “nobody can claim that FIFA refereeing can be influenced by anyone, not even by the FIFA president.”

What to Watch: Argentina vs England

The semifinals pit Argentina against fourth‑ranked England on Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. EDT in Atlanta. The match will decide which team advances to face Spain in the final, adding weight to a historic rivalry that includes the infamous 1986 “Hand of God” incident. Argentina’s triumph over England in Mexico that year came amid the Falklands War, adding a geopolitical backdrop to the renewed showdown.

Messi’s Earnings and World‑Class Stats

Forbes estimates Messi’s total net worth at $1.1 billion, placing him third on the 2026 list of highest‑paid athletes behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Canelo Alvarez. In 2025 he ranked second among soccer stars with $130 million in earnings, thanks to deals with Adidas, Lay’s, Mastercard and his own sports drink, Más+ by Messi, launched in 2024. He also signed with Major League Soccer’s Inter Miami in 2023.

Big Number: Eight Goals

Messi has scored eight goals at the 2026 World Cup, tying him for the top scorer spot with France’s Kylian Mbappé. The tally highlights his continued impact on the international stage despite the surrounding controversy.

Background: FIFA Controversy and Corruption History

FIFA has long been shadowed by corruption allegations, and the current drama adds to that legacy. Infantino’s close ties to former President Donald Trump sparked another uproar when Trump reportedly called before FIFA lifted a red‑card suspension for U.S. striker Folarin Balogun. Critics have labeled FIFA “profoundly corrupt,” echoing past scandals that embroiled the organization under Sepp Blatter, whose former presidency ended with bribery charges over World Cup host bids.