Linesman Emerson Augusto Do Carvalho may not be one of the most known names in football these days, but his name will not be forgotten soon by Argentinean fans around the world.
Lionel Messi wasn't able to hold his tongue and handed the linesman a number of insults that prompted FIFA to open an investigation against the superstar. The verdict? A four-match ban and a $10,000 fine for the Argentinean.
Here's some footage FIFA used to sanction Messi.
So called 'Good boy' Leo Messi insulting the linesman during & after the game vs Chile: "Fuck you & your mother's cunt."
— CR7Minutes (@CR7Minutes) March 24, 2017
He's Your Idol ? pic.twitter.com/FruvHLSfXM
But how does this affect Argentina's chances of success in the World Cup Qualifiers? La Albiceleste hasn't been at its best in the CONMEBOL Qualifiers, struggling for almost half of the competition to be among those with World Cup tickets.
Argentina's slow start in the competition had much to do with Messi's absence due to a injury, with La Albiceleste ranking as low as ninth out of ten competitors after three games. Even if they bounced back, the Argentinean squad gave its fans a scare back in November, when they slipped down to sixth place with seven games to go.
Have a look at Argentina's fate on the pitch whenever Messi has and hasn't been around.
Argentina in 2018 WC qualifiers
— 442stat.com (@442stat) March 28, 2017
With Messi:
6 Games
5 Wins
1 Lose
Without Messi:
7 Games
1 Win
4 Draws
2 Losses#Messi #Argentina #WCQ pic.twitter.com/s90TSjpRkz
What's left for Argentina in the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers?
Counting Tuesday's game, Argentina has five matches left: Bolivia (away), Uruguay (away), Venezuela (home), Perú (home) and Ecuador (away). The games where La Albiceleste has to be wary are against Bolivia and Uruguay, two teams that have beaten them in recent history by wide margins (including a 6-1 blowout by Bolivia in 2009, with Messi ON the pitch). Venezuela already snatched their first point away from Argentina in the current Qualifiers, while Perú hasn't been able to beat La Albiceleste in 19 years. With that in mind, stealing a point from Bolivia or Uruguay will be crucial for Bauza's men.
With the recently announced ban, Messi would only return to the final game against Perú in Quito. But it may end up being too late for Argentina, as they try to avoid the embarrassment of missing out on the World Cup for the first time since 1970.
Messi's "colorful" language could end up being too expensive for La Albiceleste.
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