A former referee has admitted that he once chose not to book Lionel Messi because he was desperate to get his shirt post-match.

Carlos Chandia refereed the Copa America semi-final clash between Argentina and Mexico in 2007, with the former beating the latter 3-0.

Messi starred in Argentina’s semi-final win against MexicoAFP

Gabriel Heinze, Messi and Juan Roman Riquelme were the scorers as La Seleccion sealed a spot in the final against Brazil.

Messi was shown a yellow card in the 51st minute and came very close to a second, which would have seen him miss the final, just before full-time when he handled the ball

However, Chandia has revealed that he told the footballing legend he wouldn’t get a second booking if he was given his matchworn shirt.

Speaking on the ESPN FShow per the Daily Mirror, the Chilean said: “Out of nowhere, Messi lifts a ball and touches it with his hand, but in the middle of the pitch.

“There was no goalscoring chance for the Mexican team or anything like that. So, I told him, ‘this is a yellow card, but it will cost you your jersey,’ and I didn’t show him the yellow card.

“There were two-and-a-half minutes left, and the score was 3-0. Showing him a yellow card would would have taken away his chance of playing in the Copa America final.”

Chandia also added: “He gave me the shirt in the dressing room afterwards.

“In fact, he wanted to take it off on the pitch and I told him: ‘No, no, no, no; take it to the dressing room’. And he came to the dressing room with the jersey and left it there for me.”

Although Messi was able to play in the final, they were beaten 3-0 at the Estadio Jose Pachencho Romero in Venezuela.

Paraguayan referee Carlos Amarilla took charge of the contest, with Chandia believing his decision with Messi may have cost him the role.

Referee Chandia opted not to give Messi a second yellow card in return for his shirtGetty

Messi was therefore able to play in the Copa America final, but Argentina lostAFP

He is reported to have told TNT Chile in 2020: “I don’t remember the number, but I remember the smell. Not the best. My son has it now, he keeps it.

“The truth is that I think that because I didn’t give him the yellow card, Brazilians ended up saying something and that’s why I wasn’t the main referee of the Copa America final.”

Despite defeat in 2007, Messi has been able to win two Copa America titles alongside his World Cup triumph.

His first victory in the competition came in 2021, with the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner scoring four goals and assisting another five during the tournament.

Messi then lifted his second Copa America earlier this year, although he only managed a goal and an assist.