Messi’s popularity plunges in Britain after World Cup 2026 controversy, poll suggests

Lionel Messi’s standing with the British public has fallen sharply in the wake of Argentina’s stormy 2026 World Cup campaign, with almost half of Britons now viewing him negatively, a new survey indicates.

A YouGov poll, reported by the UK’s Daily Mail newspaper, found that the Argentina captain’s image has been significantly damaged in Britain following a tournament marked by accusations of rough play, provocative behaviour and post‐match clashes.

Argentina lost the 2026 World Cup final 1-0 to Spain, but it was the manner of their run to the showpiece – including a dramatic semi-final victory over England – that appears to have left a lasting impact on British opinion.

Poll points to sharp shift in public opinion

According to the YouGov research, close to half of those surveyed in the UK now regard Messi in an unfavourable light. This represents a notable change for a player long considered one of the most admired figures in world football.

While YouGov’s detailed breakdown was not published in full, the broad finding highlighted a clear cooling of sentiment towards the Argentine forward among British fans and wider respondents.

The Daily Mail linked the negative turn directly to Argentina’s conduct at the World Cup in North America, describing the team’s behaviour as “السلوك المشين وغير المبرر” – “disgraceful and unjustified behaviour”.

Allegations of violent play and provocation

The report said a substantial portion of British respondents were influenced by a series of contentious incidents involving Argentina during the tournament.

These included:
– Accusations of overly aggressive or violent challenges
– Claims that Argentine players sought to provoke opponents
– Confrontations and scuffles following several matches

The cumulative effect of these flashpoints, it suggested, had eroded the admiration many in Britain previously held for Messi as a sporting icon, despite his record-breaking achievements at club and international level.

Although the poll did not specify which games most shaped public perceptions, Argentina’s knockout fixtures – and in particular their meeting with England – garnered intense media scrutiny in the UK.

England heartbreak deepens reaction

Argentina’s 2-1 win over England in the semi-final of the 2026 World Cup is likely to have amplified emotions in Britain.

England had been on the verge of reaching the final before Argentina struck twice in the dying moments to overturn a 1-0 deficit and book their place in the showpiece against Spain.

The dramatic nature of the comeback – and the frustration surrounding England’s exit – fed into an already heated debate about Argentina’s approach to the tournament. Coverage in some British outlets focused heavily on perceived gamesmanship and aggressive tactics, narratives that appear to be reflected in the poll findings.

Global icon, local backlash

Despite the shift in British sentiment, Messi remains one of the most recognised and celebrated footballers worldwide, with a vast fan base built on his performances for Barcelona, Paris St-Germain, Inter Miami and the Argentina national team.

However, the YouGov survey suggests that, at least in the UK, his aura has been dented by the World Cup fallout. Public opinion, particularly in football, can be highly reactive to major tournaments, where national pride and emotional investment are at their highest.

For Messi, whose legacy is already firmly established on the pitch, the question now is whether time – and distance from the controversies of 2026 – will soften British views, or whether this World Cup will mark a more lasting turning point in how he is perceived in one of football’s most passionate nations.