Lionel Messi’s standing with British football fans has fallen sharply, with almost half of respondents in a new survey now viewing the Argentina captain negatively following the 2026 World Cup.
A YouGov poll cited by the UK newspaper the Daily Mail found that the global superstar – long regarded as one of the most admired footballers in history – has suffered a marked decline in favourability among the British public.
According to the report, the downturn is being linked to what the paper described as the Argentina team’s “shameful and unjustified behaviour” during the 2026 tournament, which ended with their 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final.
The survey suggests that, for many in the UK, Messi’s image was damaged not by his performances on the pitch, but by the wider conduct of his national team across the competition.
Controversy overshadows Argentina’s World Cup run
The YouGov findings indicate that a substantial share of British respondents now associate Messi with a World Cup campaign marred by controversy, despite his long-established reputation as one of the game’s leading figures.
Argentina’s route to the final was accompanied by a series of flashpoints which, the poll indicates, have resonated negatively with British audiences.
The Daily Mail linked the souring mood to several incidents which drew criticism during the tournament, including:
– Accusations of overly aggressive challenges and rough play
– Alleged attempts to provoke and unsettle opponents
– Post-match confrontations and clashes involving Argentine players and staff
These episodes, the paper argued, fed into a perception of unsporting behaviour that has coloured some fans’ views of the reigning Ballon d’Or winner.
England defeat still raw for some supporters
Sentiment in the UK is also likely to have been shaped by Argentina’s dramatic elimination of England in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina knocked England out 2-1, overturning a deficit with two late goals in what became one of the most talked-about matches of the tournament. For many England supporters, the manner of that comeback – and the intensity of Argentina’s celebrations and on-pitch behaviour – has lingered.
The new polling suggests that the semi-final, combined with the subsequent controversies and Argentina’s conduct in other fixtures, has contributed to a cooling of attitudes towards Messi, who remains the team’s central figure and captain.
Global icon, shifting perceptions
Despite the downturn recorded in the UK, Messi continues to be regarded as one of the most famous and influential footballers worldwide, with a vast global fanbase built over nearly two decades at the top level.
However, the YouGov results point to a significant shift in British public opinion, illustrating how off-the-ball incidents and team behaviour at a major tournament can affect the reputation even of a player widely considered among the greatest of all time.
While the poll does not suggest a collapse in Messi’s global stature, it underlines that, in one of football’s most passionate markets, the legacy of the 2026 World Cup is proving more complicated – and more divisive – than many might have expected.
