The referee’s view of the World Cup final: Telling Messi to ‘control’ a player and a ‘well done’ from Trump

Newly released referee-cam footage from the 2026 World Cup final between Spain and Argentina at MetLife Stadium on July 19 gives viewers a behind-the-scenes perspective from Slovenian referee Slavko Vincic. The footage shows Vincic telling Lionel Messi to 'control' teammate Leandro Paredes, who had already received a yellow card, as well as his vantage point of Ferran Torres' match-winning strike that gave Spain the victory. Vincic was also twice told he did a 'great job' by U.S. President Donald Trump during the post-match medal ceremony.