"Messi, take control of him": Footage from the referee's camera in the World Cup final revealed

The 2026 World Cup ended a month ago, and in recent days FIFA has been publishing rare footage from the camera of Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić during the World Cup final. As you may recall, Argentina lost to Spain 0:1 after 120 minutes following Ferran Torres' winning goal in the 106th minute.

Vinčić managed the final with a firm hand and received much applause online and also from US President Donald Trump, who told him twice during the medal ceremony: "You did a great job, well done." In the full footage, one can see up close how the Slovenian referee controls the game and speaks to the players at eye level, especially when it comes to a tense game full of emotions and aggression.

The rare clip from the referee's camera occurred in the 51st minute. Leandro Paredes, the Argentine national team midfielder who came on at halftime, received a yellow card six minutes into the second half. Slavko Vinčić took Lionel Messi for a close conversation and made it clear that he should control Paredes:

"I don't want to send him off, he already has one yellow card, take control of him, Leo."

Paredes heeded Messi's advice and avoided a second yellow card during the game, but lost his composure at the final whistle, when he was seen grabbing the Spaniard Eric Garcia by the throat before throwing Gavi, another Spaniard, to the ground. On July 29, FIFA announced that Paredes was being investigated for three counts of assault. The brawl itself is not shown in the video from the referee's point of view.

From the referee's camera, one could see from the best angle the goal by Ferran Torres that decided the game. Torres shot into the top of the net after a great header down by Nico Williams. Vinčić completed a 360-degree turn, and one could see the contrast of emotions: on one side, a picture of uncontrollable joy, and on the other side, Argentina players falling to the ground.

After the final whistle, the footage shows the referee in conversation with the Spaniard Dani Olmo:

"They were so difficult, so difficult," Vinčić said, to which Olmo replied: "You did a great job."

Vinčić then revealed to Olmo that this was his "last game" as a referee – he announced his retirement on July 27 – and to this the Spaniard replied: "Congratulations on an amazing career." "I really appreciate you very much," added Olmo.