Some fans want Lionel Messi and Argentina to be stripped of the 2022 FIFA World Cup title after Papu Gomez was banned for doping.
Messi made history in December 2022, leading Argentina to World Cup glory for the first time in his career and the third in the country’s history. He also scored 7 goals, including an excellent double in the final against France and won the Best Player award of the tournament.
Although there is no debate about Argentina’s victory in football’s biggest tournament, that no longer seems to be the case. Because Lionel Messi’s teammate on the national team – Papu Gomez was banned from professional competition for 2 years on October 20.
Papu Gomez was banned from competing due to doping. Photo: GETTY
According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, the 35-year-old winger failed an anti-doping test at Sevilla in October 2022 – two months before the 2022 World Cup kicked off . However, this player was still allowed to participate in Qatar and won the championship with La Albiceleste.
Recently, many fans on X (formerly Twitter) expressed outrage, with many calling for Lionel Messi to be stripped of his first World Cup title.
One fan posted: “He played for Argentina in World Cup qualifying matches, how ironic. Messi is such a fraud. First Barca, now Argentina. This guy can’t escape out of this.”
Another fan wrote: “As much as I want to deny it and say it was rigged in favor of Messi. Currently no player can compare to him having won the World Cup . Anyway, Ronaldo still has integrity and is my favorite player! “
International fans react after Papu Gomez was banned for doping. Photo: Twitter
A fan named Muneeb voiced criticism. Photo: Twitter
Gomez joined Italian club Monza as a free agent on 29 September, but it is likely he will retire due to the ban. With being “indicted”, Gomez is also likely to be stripped of his World Cup medal.
