Egyptian Snack Brand Drops Lionel Messi Amid World Cup Controversy
Following Egypt's controversial elimination by Argentina in the 2026 World Cup Round of 16, a local Egyptian snack company announced it will stop featuring Lionel Messi's image on its products. The company, which produces chips under the international brand Lay's, had previously used Messi's face on packaging but decided to discontinue this after Egyptian fans and officials accused referees of unfairness in the 3-2 match that advanced Argentina to the quarterfinals.
The match saw Egypt leading 2-0 until the 80th minute, including a disallowed Egyptian goal after a VAR review. Argentina staged a dramatic comeback, scoring the winning goal in the 92nd minute through midfielder Enzo Fernandez. Egypt's coach confronted referees post-match, and Egyptian player Mostafa Ziko publicly criticized the officiating, claiming the tournament was rigged in Argentina's favor.
The backlash against Messi reflects broader frustration in Egypt over the perceived injustice of the match outcome. The snack company's decision to remove Messi's image symbolizes this consumer protest. The controversy continues to fuel tensions between Egyptian fans and the Argentine star as the World Cup progresses.
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