According to Goal.com, Mandy said Messi apologized to him immediately after the World Cup match.
Former Algerian international Aisa Mandi revealed that he spoke with Lionel Messi about the controversial foul after Algeria's World Cup 2026 group stage match against Argentina. Mandi said the Argentine captain apologized to him immediately after the incident.
The match ended with Argentina winning 3-0, but in the 31st minute, shortly after Messi scored, he kicked Mandy's leg hard, an action that sparked huge controversy. Referee experts believed that the action should have resulted in a straight red card.
Polish referee Simón Maziniak ultimately only ruled a foul without consulting the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Subsequently, the Algerian Football Federation filed a formal complaint with FIFA.
In an interview with the Kampo podcast, Mandy said that Messi immediately realized he had fouled, adding, "Messi knew he had made a mistake, so he quickly came over to apologize to me and asked me what happened. On the other hand, I also signaled to the referee that the action was very aggressive, and after I stood up, I said that the action should be reviewed by the video assistant referee."
The Levante defender explained that he didn't fully realize how serious the tackle was at the time of the match because the players on the field and the viewers watching the slow-motion replay on TV had different experiences.
He said, "The biggest difference between the audience watching on the screen and us on the field is that they can see the slow-motion replay in a few seconds and immediately realize how vicious the move was, while we don't have that opportunity. I did feel pain at the time, but it wasn't until I got back to the locker room that I really realized how serious it was; the pain intensified then, and the people around me said that the move should have been a red card, and then I watched the slow-motion replay again."
