Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the best soccer players of all time, found himself at the center of controversy after receiving a red card in the Copa America third-place match between Argentina and Chile on July 6th. The decision, made by referee Mario Diaz de Vivar, sparked outrage from both the Argentine team and fans around the world.

Messi was given a red card in the 37th minute of the game, along with Chilean player Gary Medel, after a heated confrontation between the two players. The incident occurred after Medel appeared to push Messi, who responded by lightly tapping the Chilean player on the back of the legs. Medel then reacted aggressively, bumping Messi with his chest and causing the Argentine star to fall to the ground.

The referee immediately showed both players a red card, which meant they were both ejected from the game. The decision was met with disbelief by Messi, who had never been sent off in a competitive game for Argentina before.

The controversy didn’t end there, however. After the game, Messi blasted the refereeing decisions and accused the organizers of the tournament of corruption. “We don’t have to be part of this corruption,” he said. “The truth is we shouldn’t be here. Corruption, referees, and all the rest stopped people from enjoying the football.”

Messi’s comments were met with criticism from some quarters, with many accusing him of sour grapes after his team’s disappointing exit from the tournament. Argentina had been tipped as one of the favorites to win the Copa America, but were knocked out in the semi-finals by arch-rivals Brazil.

Despite the criticism, Messi’s red card and subsequent suspension have sparked a wider debate about the role of referees in soccer, and the need for consistency in decision-making. The incident has also shone a light on the pressure that players face during high-profile matches, and the potential consequences of losing their cool.

In the wake of the controversy, FIFA, soccer’s governing body, announced that it would review the use of the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) system, which is designed to help referees make more accurate decisions. Many fans and players have criticized the use of VAR, arguing that it has led to more confusion and inconsistency in decision-making.

The suspension means that Messi will miss Argentina’s next game, a friendly against Mexico, as well as the country’s first qualifier for the 2022 World Cup. The Argentine team will no doubt be hoping that their star player can put the controversy behind him and return to the pitch as soon as possible.

For Messi, the incident is a rare blot on an otherwise impeccable career. The 32-year-old has won numerous awards and accolades, including six Ballon d’Or titles, and is widely regarded as one of the greatest soccer players of all time. Whether he can bounce back from this setback remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt that fans around the world will be watching closely.