‘Messy, Not Messi’: Gauahar Khan Calls Lionel Messi ‘Actor of the Saddest Order’ After Argentina’s FIFA World Cup 2026 RO16 Win Over Egypt (View Posts)
Indian actress Gauahar Khan sparked online controversy after labeling Lionel Messi an actor of the saddest order on Instagram following Argentina's dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16. Her remarks coincide with massive wave of social media backlash regarding crucial decisions made during the match.
Defending champions Argentina secured a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026, advancing to the quarterfinals after overcoming a two-goal deficit late in the second half. While the match at Atlanta Stadium was widely noted for its intense competitive drama, it also sparked significant controversy surrounding key refereeing decisions and player conduct. In the wake of the result, Indian actor Gauahar Khan took to social media to heavily criticise Argentina captain Lionel Messi, adding fuel to an already polarising global conversation. Egypt Lodge Formal FIFA Complaint and Demand Referee Francois Letexier's Removal Following Controversial WC 2026 Loss To Argentina.
Gauahar Khan Takes a Dig at Messi
Following the final whistle, Gauahar Khan openly expressed her disapproval of Lionel Messi’s behaviour during the match, joining a wave of online critics who questioned the forward's conduct on the pitch. The actor utilised her platform to highlight what she perceived as unsportsmanlike behaviour from the football icon, drawing widespread attention from both entertainment and sports followers.
Khan shared her critique on her public Instagram Stories, reposting a viral reel that captured a specific moment from the broadcast where Messi was seen covering his mouth after an alleged physical challenge. The original video clip questioned Messi's reaction, with the creator labelling it the "saddest moment in football history." Reposting the footage, Khan added her own caption, writing, "What a loser, messy not Messi. Actor of the saddest order."
Gauahar Khan Fires at Lionel Messi after Argentina vs Egypt FIFA World Cup 2026 Clash
Social Media Uproar Regarding Argentina vs Egypt Match
The social media backlash extended far beyond Khan's comments, driven heavily by several highly contested officiating moments that left Egyptian fans and players aggrieved. Egypt had established a commanding 2-0 lead through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, putting the team on the verge of one of the largest upsets in World Cup history before Argentina rallied with three late goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernández. Viral Video Shows Moments Argentina Were Favoured Against Egypt During FIFA World Cup 2026 R16 Match.
The primary catalyst for the uproar centred on two critical decisions mediated by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). First, a potential second goal by Mostafa Ziko was disallowed after a VAR review cited a foul during the buildup play. Later in the half, the Egyptian squad vocally appealed for a penalty following an alleged shirt-pull on midfielder Hamdy Fathy inside the Argentine box. The referee declined to award the penalty, and shortly thereafter, Argentina launched the counterattack that resulted in the game-winning goal, prompting intense public debate over the fairness of the officiating.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 09, 2026 11:46 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
