From Hossam Hassan to Hollywood: The 10 names Argentina media blames for smearing Messi’s World Cup team

Following their World Cup 2026 Final loss, an Argentine network launched a scathing attack on 10 global figures for smearing the national team.

A coordinated media campaign

According to the Argentine television network TN, a synchronized global effort was launched to ruin the reputation of Lionel Messi’s squad throughout the 2026 tournament.

In the wake of a bitter 1-0 defeat to Spain in the final, the network accused ten notable figures of utilizing repetitive propaganda tactics to falsely label the South American squad as unnecessarily violent.

The broadcast's blacklist features a bizarre mix of politicians, streamers and entertainers including Samuel L. Jackson, Pedro Pascal, Mia Khalifa and Egyptian national team coach Hossam Hassan.

The round of 16 controversy

The foundation of this fierce media counter attack stems from Argentina's chaotic knockout clash against Egypt. The Pharaohs squandered a 2-0 lead, eventually conceding three late goals in a highly physical 3-2 thriller.

Following the final whistle, Hossam Hassan furiously claimed his side was robbed by controversial refereeing decisions. TN highlighted that New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani amplified these exact claims.

The network argued these statements were deliberately crafted to feed a baseless conspiracy theory that global elites and corporations were actively rigging the tournament to ensure Messi lifted another trophy.

Clashing with hollywood and the press

The broadcast did not hold back against international celebrities who criticized the squad's aggressive playing style. When British broadcaster Piers Morgan labeled the players as violent disruptors who disgraced the sport, the Argentine network retaliated by listing historical British colonial offenses across the globe.

Furthermore, TN fiercely dismantled accusations of systemic racism from Hollywood veteran Samuel L. Jackson. The broadcasters argued that while their nation faces severe economic and political turmoil, it remains a historic melting pot that has welcomed diverse immigrants for two centuries.

Spanish actor Javier Bardem also faced heavy fire from the network for allegedly tying the team's image to the controversial geopolitical stances of the current Argentine government, a move TN dismissed as staggering hypocrisy.

Khaled Hegazy |

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Journaliste sportif spécialisé dans la couverture du football et la création de contenu numérique, alliant expérience éditoriale et expertise des médias sociaux.

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