FIFA World Cup 2022: Is Lionel Messi playing for Argentina vs Croatia? Here's an update

Argentina might find itself in a major crisis heing into FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 semifinal match against Croatia, as football great Lionel Messi might face a ban for game. world football governing body FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings on Argentinan skipper for his behavior towards referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz during quarterfinal match against Nerlands. Meanwhile, FIFA will reveal its verdict on Tuesday, before Argentina vs Croatia, which gets underway at 12:30 AM on Wednesday.

high-octane quarterfinal clash between Nerlands and Argentina witnessed several discipline-related moments as players and coaching staff were seen losing ir cool. Alongside several verbal clashes, physical brawls broke out between players from both sides after match. Interestingly, referee Lahoz was seen flashing yellow card, a total of 16 times.

Will Lionel Messi be banned from Argentina vs Croatia?

FIFA decided to open disciplinary proceedings against Argentine Federation, and players involved in confrontations after match. FIFA claimed that players breached its code of conduct during quarter-final clash. It is pertinent to mention that if found guilty, 35-year-old will be barred from playing in semifinal match against Croatia.

Shedding light on disciplinary proceedings in a statement, FIFA put out a statement, that re, “ FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against Argentinian Football Association due to potential breaches of articles 12 (Misconduct of players and officials) and 16 (Order and security at matches) of FIFA Disciplinary Code during Nerlands vs Argentina FIFA World Cup match”,

Here’s what Lionel Messi said about referee after Argentina vs Nerlands

After Argentina’s triumph over Nerlands, Messi reportedly lashed out at referee and said, “We didn't have a great game, and n referee sent it to extra time. He was always against us. In last play, it was t a foul. FIFA has to review that, it can't give a referee like that a match of this importance, when y're t up to task."

Argentina vs Nerlands, World Cup quarterfinal game ended in a 2-2 draw after final whistle, as game went into penalty shootout. Nahuel Molina scored opening goal of match for Argentina, before Messi doubled le with a 73rd minute penalty goal. While Wout Weghorst scored both goals for Dutch side, Argentina vanced into semis with a 4-3 win in penalty shootout.