The Argentina vs. Switzerland quarterfinal match in the World Cup witnessed a notable moment between Argentine captain Lionel Messi and Portuguese referee João Pedro Pinheiro, after the player demanded to be treated with respect.

The incident began when a free kick was awarded to the Swiss team. Messi was part of the defensive wall, and the referee asked him to retreat to the legal distance required before the kick was taken. However, Messi did not seem pleased with the way the referee addressed him, so he went up to him and said: 'Talk to me with respect,' emphasizing that as the Argentine captain, he rejects the manner in which he was treated.

After the free kick was taken, cameras captured Messi repeating his words to the Portuguese referee, saying: 'Do not disrespect me, talk to me with respect, I spoke to you with respect.'