Ex Player Accuses Argentina of Winning the World Cup with Aid of Cheap Penalties

• Sebastian Washington Abreu believes Argentina benefited from favourable penalty calls at the 2022 FIFA World Cup
• Argentina was awarded five penalties in the seven games they played at the World Cup
• Messi lifted a trophy that eluded him in his football career after Argentina won the World Cup

Argentina’s 2022 World Cup success is facing credibility issues after ex-Uruguayan international Sebastián Washington Abreu questioned the penalties awarded in favour of the South Americans.

La Albiceleste’s total of five penalties awarded at the 2022 tournament has been the most of any World Cup edition since 1966, The Athletic reports.

According to PSG Talk, Abreu notes that fouls inside the box were called for Argentina’s games, but other contests were not held to the same standard.

“They had different criteria with some penalties. If you have a little bit of common sense, taking off your fanaticism and your shirt, now the fact is done, and no one is going to take the World Cup from you.

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“If you analyze some penalties, here they were charged and in other games, they were not used the same criteria.”

Lionel Messi guided Argentina to lift the 2022 World Cup for the first time since Diego Armando Maradona guided the South American giant to the 1986 title.

Abreu slams criminal treatment of Messi

Meanwhile, Sebastian Abreu has lambasted how Paris Saint-Germain fans have treated Lionel Messi after the Argentine received boos from the club's supporters, Sportskeeda reports.

Abreu noted that he would love Messi to end his career at Barcelona and has called for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner to return to Camp Nou at the end of the season.

Messi has failed to fulfil PSG fans' expectations since his move to France as the club has failed to progress beyond the round of 16 of the UEFA Champions League.

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Earlier, Sports Brief reported Lionel Messi will have to decide which is more important, money or staying in Europe, after Saudi Pro League team, Al-Hilal raised their offer to sign the Argentina superstar.

The 35-year-old forward and Paris Saint-Germain are set to part ways at the end of the season after two mixed seasons with the Ligue 1 giants, whom he joined in 2021.

Al-Hilal have increased their offer by an extra €100 mil after initially tabling a €400 mil two-year deal for the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner.