Former referee reveals Lionel Messi avoided yellow card by exchanging jersey during 2007 Copa America

In a surprising revelation, former football referee Carlos Chandia has disclosed that he once allowed Argentina's star player Lionel Messi to escape a potential yellow card in exchange for his jersey. This incident took place during the 2007 Copa America semi-final match against Mexico. Messi, who had already received a yellow card for an earlier offence, was at risk of missing the final if he received another booking. Aware of the stakes involved, Chandia made the decision to inform Messi that he could have been charged for a handball offence but chose to overlook it in exchange for the player's jersey. This controversial act has sparked debate among football fans and experts, with many questioning the ethics of Chandia's decision. theless, it remains a notable anecdote in Messi's storied career, highlighting the lengths to which some officials may go to protect a star player.

In a chat with ESPN on the FShow, the former referee revealed telling Messi of getting away from a second yellow but at his jersey’s cost.

‘This is a yellow card, but it will cost you your jersey,’ and I didn’t show him the yellow card,” Chandia said per multiple outlets.

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During the semis clash, Argentina led the game by 3-0, with goals coming from Gabriel Heinze, Roman Riquelme and Messi. However, just before the final whistle, Messi fouled with a handball, with Argentina facing a potential threat of losing their emerging superstar for the final.

“There were two-and-a-half minutes left, and the score was 3-0. Showing him a yellow card would have taken away his chance of playing in the Copa America final,” the former referee said while noting the importance of the second yellow card.

Detailing what happened further and if Messi even obliged the referee's offer, Chandia said Messi gave him his jersey inside the dressing room; in fact, he wanted to give it on the field, but the referee denied it for obvious reasons.

“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 continued.

Fortunately, Chandia’s decision to let Messi escape his second yellow card did not directly impact the final’s result as Brazil proved costly for Argentina, with Julio Baptista, Roberto Ayala and Dani Alves scoring for the eventual winners. 

Meanwhile, several years later, Lionel Messi emerged as the most decorated footballer ever, with 45 trophies – the most by any player in the game’s history. 

Besides winning Copa America several times since, Messi guided Argentina to its third World Cup title in 2022, where they beat France in a penalty shootout. 

(With inputs from agencies)