In a surprising revelation, former referee Carlos Chandia has admitted to making a deal with Lionel Messi during the 2007 Copa America semi-final. Chandia confessed that he forgave Messi a yellow card in exchange for the football star’s match-worn jersey, ensuring Messi could play in the final.
During the semi-final match between Argentina and Mexico, which ended 3-0 in favor of Argentina, Messi scored a goal but faced a potential suspension due to an earlier handball. If Chandia had issued a yellow card for the handball, the decision would have sidelined Messi for the final against Brazil.
Chandia, speaking on ESPN’s FShow, recounted the moment: “Out of nowhere, Messi lifted a ball and touched it with his hand in the middle of the pitch. There was no immediate threat to the Mexican goal, so I told him, ‘This is a yellow card, but it will cost you your jersey.’ I didn’t show him the yellow card.”
With only minutes remaining and Argentina comfortably leading, Chandia decided against booking Messi, thereby allowing him to participate in the final. Chandia noted that this decision may have influenced his non-selection for the final match, but Messi honored his part of the agreement by delivering his jersey to Chandia after the game.
Chandia later shared on TNT Chile that his son now owns the jersey, recalling its less-than-pleasant aroma. He speculated that his decision to spare Messi the yellow card might have affected his officiating future, suggesting that it contributed to his not being chosen to referee the final.
In the 2007 Copa America final, Brazil defeated Messi and Argentina 3-0. Julio Baptista, Roberto Ayala (own goal), and Dani Alves scored for Brazil. Messi would not win his first Copa America until 2021, when Argentina secured a 1-0 victory over Brazil, with Angel Di Maria scoring the decisive goal at the Maracanã Stadium.
