World Cup final referee's unheard plea to Messi exposed in new footage

World Cup referee Slavko Vincic pleaded with Lionel Messi to calm down his out-of-control team-mate Leandro Paredes during the tournament's final. The Argentina captain was tasked with keeping Paredes on the field before the violent scenes he sparked come the full-time whistle.

Paredes spotted kicking and punching as he shoved Spain star Eric Garcia to the ground and grappled with Barcelona ace Gavi. The 32-year-old only entered the match at half-time, but was fortunate to stay on the pitch.

The former Paris Saint-Germain midfielder picked up a yellow card after just six minutes on the pitch for a nasty foul and spent the remainder of the match living on the edge as Enzo Fernandez was sent off. Paredes' antics prompted on-field official Vincic to attempt to take mitigating action through Messi, though that did not prevent the shenanigans at full time.

Footage has emerged from referee cam in which Vincic can be heard warning Messi that Paredes was riding his luck on the field. "Messi, control Paredes," he could be heard saying.

"I don't want to...he has yellow. Control please. Always, always."

FIFA opened disciplinary proceedings against Paredes for his shameful post-match actions. The world football governing body has alleged three counts of assault against the player.

Argentina's Nahuel Molina has also come under the spotlight for two counts of assault and team coach Roberto Ayala for one count. Molina appeared to strike Rodri while Ayala hit Dani Olmo.

Spain boss Luis de la Fuente was left in disbelief with what transpired. "At the time, I didn't realise it. I was celebrating, hugging team-mates," De La Fuente told Spanish television.

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"But in any case, it is intolerable, unacceptable, it cannot be allowed. Players of that stature, whom I praised in the days leading up to the match and continue to praise, who are great players with a tremendous coach, surely they must have felt just as bad as we did seeing those reactions.

"I want to highlight our behaviour in the face of that kind of aggression and provocation. Our players always kept their composure and behaved like true professionals."

Paredes was caught up in more drama upon his return to club football. The veteran sparked more uproar for Boca Juniors when he kicked the ball at an opponent.

As a Central Cordoba player looked to get to his feet following a foul, Paredes kicked the ball towards him, though how deliberate it was remains up for debate. Paredes was only on the field for 14 minutes.

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