Referee Slavko Vincic, aged 46, who officiated the 2026 World Cup final where Spain triumphed over Argentina with a score of 1-0, has publicly shared his insights regarding his interaction with Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain.
Shortly after announcing his retirement from officiating, Vincic gave an interview to a Slovenian publication, where he reflected on his time on the pitch alongside Messi.
Vincic: “Messi Has Always Shown Sportsmanship”
While Vincic did not disclose the specifics of their conversation during the final, he emphasized Messi’s commendable attitude. “I will keep that conversation on the field. But I can say that Messi has always behaved in a sportsmanlike manner,” the Slovenian referee remarked.
During the World Cup, Messi also had a tense exchange with Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro in the quarter-final match against Switzerland.
“It Was a Shock, Then I Felt Immense Pride”
Vincic recounted his reaction upon learning he would referee the World Cup final, describing the assignment as the peak moment of his career. “At first, it was a shock. Then, I felt proud of our officiating team, which was going to represent Slovenia on such a significant stage at the world’s biggest sporting event,” he explained.
The referee acknowledged the immense pressure accompanying such a high-profile role, recognizing the responsibility involved. “I knew it was a big responsibility. We had to rise to this trust and successfully manage the game,” Vincic stated.
In his interview, the former referee also shared his thoughts on the role of VAR in modern football, asserting that technology is essential at the current level of the game. “The responsibility is enormous, although I believe our strategy was correct. You can rectify a mistake by reviewing the footage. With the speed of today’s football, it is impossible to see everything. I cannot imagine officiating without technological assistance,” Vincic concluded.
