Former German football star Thomas Müller has ignited a debate with his controversial comments regarding Lionel Messi and the upcoming 2026 World Cup. In a viral video, Müller recounted an experience from the 2010 World Cup quarter-finals, where Germany defeated Argentina 4-0. He claimed that he received an unjust yellow card during that match simply because Messi was nearby.

During the match, Müller recalled, "We were leading against Argentina, and Messi was right next to me. The ball bounced off the ground and hit my hand, which was close to my body at the time. The referee immediately showed me a yellow card. I believe the reason was simply that Messi was next to me. I felt that Messi looked at the referee and gestured, 'We are down 0-2, please help us!'" This statement has drawn attention amid ongoing discussions about refereeing decisions during the 2026 World Cup.

Throughout the tournament held in North America, several controversial officiating calls have been criticized by both experts and fans as being biased in favor of Argentina, which ultimately led them to the finals. While many have come to Messi and Argentina's defense, arguing that refereeing decisions depend solely on the referee's perspective, Müller’s bold remarks have found support among some fans. His comments reflect a growing sentiment regarding the influence of star players on officiating in high-stakes matches.

As the football world continues to discuss these issues, Müller’s statements add fuel to the fire, highlighting the ongoing debates surrounding fairness and bias in sports officiating.