Lionel Messi told to "show some respect", tunnel clash and "corruption" claim

Lionel Messi is widely regarded as the greatest footballer of his generation with many believing he is the best of all time.

Yet the Argentine superstar has also developed a reputation for speaking out about officiating decisions that go against his teams.

This was the case on Friday as the 34-year-old took to social media after Argentina edged out Peru 1-0 in a World Cup qualification match, accusing referee Wilton Sampaio of making it "difficult" and accusing him of doing this "on purpose".

Lautaro Martinez's first-half goal was enough to decide the game but the visitors spurned a controversial second-half penalty to miss out on the chance of grabbing a surprise point.

Messi - alongside goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez - helped Argentina to the 2019 Copa America title and are now on course for World Cup qualification ( Image:

Getty Images)

Messi wrote after the game: "It was a tough game and difficult to play against a team who sat deep and left us few spaces.

"The referee who always officiates us does the same (makes it difficult), it seems that he does it on purpose.

"But hey, it was three important points that bring us closer to our goal."

Messi was referencing the Brazilian referee Wilton Sampaio, who was officiating his fifth game involving Argentina - although La Albiceleste are undefeated in that period, winning three and drawing two of those matches.

Interestingly, the assistant in the match was Marcelo Carvalho Van Gesse - infamous for being the target of insults from Messi which led to him being banned for four matches in 2016.

This follows a pattern of officials being less than happy with the superstar attacker; Messi was told to show respect by former leading referee Bjorn Kuipers for apparent time-wasting.

Messi was told off by referee Bjorn Kuipers during the 2019 Champions League semi-final ( Image:

NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Kuipers is heard by cameras to say during Barca's 3-0 Champions League semi-final first-leg win over Liverpool in 2019: " Messi, come on, show some respect. Every time you do it!"

There was an incident last year with Brazilian referee Raphael Claus when Messi ranted during a frustrating 1-1 World Cup qualifying draw against Paraguay.

Messi reportedly told the referee: "You screwed us twice."

Messi clashed with the referee in last season's La Liga clash at Celta Vigo ( Image:

Movistar)

At club level, Messi confronted the referee Del Cerro Grande in the tunnel after his decision to send off Barcelona defender Clement Lenglet during the Catalan side's three-goal win at Celta Vigo in October last year.

Perhaps the most memorable incident of Messi criticising officials was in the 2019 Copa America, after sensationally accusing the officials of "corruption".

Messi was sent off in the third-place play-off win over Chile after he clashed with former Cardiff midfielder Gary Medel, who was also shown a red card.

Is Messi right to complain about the standard of officiating? Let us know what you think in the comments section below

Lionel Messi was sent off against Chile in the 2019 Copa America third-placed playoff ( Image:

Alexandre Schneider)

"We don't need to be part of the corruption that we've suffered at this tournament," said Messi.

"Medel is always right at the limit. With a yellow, that would have been the end of it for both of us, but well, maybe what I said recently had an impact.

"What's important is that the team finished well in the tournament. Maybe this was ordered and I ended up suffering because of what I said.

"The final? Hopefully, the referees and the VAR won't influence things and they let Peru compete, but I think that's unlikely."

Friday's incident was the latest in a long line of Messi speaking out against officials, much of which is overwhelmingly done at international level.

This highlight's the player's added passion and emotion while playing for his nation, where he is less than impressed with the officiating.