‘Anti-Messi law’: Why the Paraguayan stadium banned the Argentine’s shirts

Lionel Messi’s Paraguayan fans receive bad news as the dispute between Paraguay and Argentina approaches this Thursday (14), at 8:30 pm, for the 11th round of the World Cup Qualifiers. The duel, which will take place at the Defensores del Chaco stadium, will not be watched by fans wearing the star’s shirt, following the “anti-Messi law” created by Paraguayan football director Fernando Villasboa.

Whether from Argentina, Barcelona, ​​Paris Saint-Germain or Inter Miami, shirts with the classic Messi 10 on the back will not be allowed in the stadium, according to a decision released this Wednesday (13). The intention is to create an atmosphere of support for the Paraguayan team, which could be ‘hindered’ by the idolatry of the Argentine star.

For Villasboa, the priority is to fill the stands with the colors of Paraguay, without focusing only on the Inter Miami striker. Therefore, the definition also extends to Argentine fans, who will not be able to wear Messi’s shirt.

This is not the first time that Paraguay has made this decision – the last player to have their shirts banned from a Paraguayan stadium due to the attention they attract was Brazilian Vini Jr, when Brazil played in the eighth round of the Qualifiers in September. Shirts of the Brazilian, Flamengo and Real Madrid star were banned in the same stadium as tomorrow’s game.

The difference is that, at the time, the visiting team could freely wear Brazilian players’ shirts, which did not apply to Messi’s regulations.

The Paraguayans arrive for the confrontation with the Argentines in sixth place in the table, with 13 points scored. Until then, Paraguay is the ‘cut-off score’ of the six direct places for the 2026 World Cup, while Argentina is the leader of the table, with 22 points.