When you are quite probably the greatest footballer of all time, everything you do will attract attention. Some of it will be good, but some of it will be unwanted. It’s the latter for Lionel Messi, despite his recent hat-trick to kick off Argentina’s World Cup campaign.

The 38-year-old was on fire as he smashed in three goals against Algeria to give his nation a 3-0 win in their Group J opener. Messi’s display in ​Kansas City left fans and pundits purring, as he took his tally of World Cup goals to 16 in total, now level with record holder Miroslav Klose.

In the aftermath of that game, however, one nation has now lodged an official complaint to FIFA.

Algeria Make Complaint Over Two Issues After Argentina Loss

Siphiwe Sibeko via Reuters

According to Reuters, Algeria have lodged a complaint about ‘alleged poor refereeing’ during their 3-0 loss to Argentina in their opening World Cup fixture. The report adds that ‘a source with direct knowledge of the matter’ has revealed that a letter was sent to FIFA’s refereeing commission, with particular reference to the first-half incident when Messi stood on the calf of ​Algeria captain Aissa Mandi.

While the team from Africa immediately argued that it should have been a red card, the iconic forward ⁠was not punished. Adding insult to injury, he then went on to score a hat-trick.

Beyond the Messi incident, Algeria also claim that an elbow from Liverpool midfielder Alexis ​Mac Allister in the face of Ibrahim Maza should have been punished. They question why it went unpunished by Szymon Marciniak. The experienced Polish referee, who was in charge of the 2022 World Cup final (won by Argentina on penalties against France), was within a meter of the incident when Mac Allister ​appeared to body-check Maza with a raised elbow.

Algeria’s complaint raises questions about Marciniak’s performance and that ​of his VAR team, led by compatriot Tomasz Kwiatkowski.

Pundits Offer Clear Verdict on Messi Incident vs Algeria

The general consensus was that Messi probably should have been sent off for the foul. ESPN pundit Nedum Onuoha said: think it should have been a red card, in my opinion. It feels like the moment was missed.” He added: “The referee’s probably missed it – and I understand why he’s missed it – but for the video assistant referee [VAR] to look at that and say ‘no, that’s all fine, there’s nothing more to it’… I personally think that’s worthy of a red.”

Onuoha’s co-pundit, the former Venezuela international Ale Moreno, went even further by claiming it was “100% a red card for Lionel Messi. It should have been.”

Piers Morgan was a little more forthright with his criticism of the challenge, noting:

Argentina will ace Austria in Dallas next, while Algeria take on Jordan in San ​Francisco.

Tottenham Hotspur are working to complete seven signings this summer as ENIC go into overdrive in the transfer window.

Tottenham know that they got away with one after only avoiding relegation to the Championship on the final day of the Premier League season, and club chiefs know they now need to back manager Roberto De Zerbi in the market to ensure it never happens again.

One of Spurs’ big weakness in recent seasons has been their defence, with the club conceding 183 Premier League goals across the previous three seasons.

The North Londoners have already moved decisively to try and fix their defensive issues, bringing in the experienced Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, while they have also reached a full agreement to sign another centre-back in Jan Paul van Hecke from Brighton and Hove Albion in a deal worth £52m.

Tottenham are not done there though, with top sources reporting talks for Manchester City’s Savinho, Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, as well as trying to sort a permanent deal for Joao Palhinha following his successful season-long loan spell from Bayern Munich.

Spurs have spent just over £50m so far, and that number could soon go up significantly.

Tottenham Working to Complete Seven Signings

via Reuters

According to renowned Tottenham source Paul O’Keefe on X, Spurs are far from done with their summer business after already completing three agreements.

O’Keefe believes that the club will look to bring in four more signings in the remainder of the window, with four key positions identified.

Those include central midfield, where Spurs are already said to be holding talks over Palhinha, Tonali and Fernandes, with the suggestion that perhaps only one of those will join unless there is another major player exit from the engine room.

Then, De Zerbi also wants to strengthen his frontline, with a new left-winger, right-winger and a centre-forward wanted.

Who Could Still Leave Tottenham?

via Reuters

Tottenham will surely need to make some more room in their squad if further new players are to arrive, with major doubts over the future of captain Cristian Romero.

The Spurs skipper has been linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for months now, and the arrival of two new centre-backs only hints more that he could be on his way, at a time when the club really wants to keep Micky van de Ven.

In midfield, it has been claimed by David Ornstein that De Zerbi wants to sign both Tonali and Fernandes for his midfield, and if that was to happen then surely there would be one or two exits in midfield as well.

There could be doubts raised over the likes of Pape Matar Sarr and Lucas Bergvall, who has attracted interest from other Premier League clubs in the past.

In attack, Mathys Tel has been linked with a move away from the club but De Zerbi is said to have blocked any transfer for the Frenchman, while Richarlison is linked with a move away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in most transfer windows.

Tottenham Hotspur have suffered a blow with the news that one of their top transfer targets is ready to reject them to join Arsenal instead.

Tottenham are showing no signs of slowing down or minimising their ambition as they go all out in the summer transfer window, with three deals already completed.

Spurs have already announced the signings of Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi on free transfers, with the duo bringing a wealth of Premier League experience with them to boost a backline that has struggled in recent seasons.

The pair will be joined at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium by Jan Paul van Hecke after a deal worth £52m was agreed with Brighton and Hove Albion, who have made two bid to sign Spurs sensation Luka Vuskovic.

Now, after bolstering the defence and also tying Pedro Porro down to a new long-term contract, it appears as though attention is turning to make changes to De Zerbi’s midfield.

The Italian has a plethora of options to choose from in the centre of the park with Rodrigo Bentancur, Conor Gallagher, Pape Matar Sarr, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray available to him, but there have been talks over potential moves for three central midfielders in recent weeks – Joao Palhinha, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali.

Sandro Tonali Makes Decision on Next Club

via Reuters

While Tottenham have been in talks over a deal to sign Joao Palhinha from Bayern Munich on a permanent deal following his loan spell in north London, Spurs have also made attempts to bring Tonali and Fernandes to the club as well.

According to David Ornstein, De Zerbi wants to land both Tonali and Fernandes as he looks to significantly strengthen his squad for next season, but whether that is achievable is another question.

SportsBoom have delivered some bad news for the Italian though, as they claim that despite the 47-year-old holding positive talks with Tonali about working together at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, the £55m Newcastle signing’s preference would be to join Arsenal if both clubs had offers accepted by Newcastle.

Tottenham’s Chances Remain Alive

via Reuters

While Tonali has made his stance clear on his preferred next move, it means nothing if Arsenal don’t firm up their interest in the player.

Reports emanated at the end of the January transfer window from the player’s side that the Gunners had been in contact over a move for Tonali, but nothing materialised at the time.

Given they are now the Premier League champions and the player has huge respect for Mikel Arteta, it isn’t too surprising that he would prefer a move to the Emirates. After all, the Gunners will compete in the Champions League next term and Spurs have no European football on offer.

Another big hurdle for Tottenham in their bid to sign Tonali is Newcastle’s price tag, with SportsBroom claiming that they are demanding up to £120m to sell their star midfielder this summer.

Spurs would need to obliterate their transfer record to land the Italy international, and now it is up to ENIC how far they are willing to go to land a player De Zerbi really wants.