ITV World Cup presenter calls on Argentina stars to tell Lionel Messi ‘you’re not very good at penalties’
ITV presenter Mark Pougatch has questioned whether it is time for Argentina to AXE Lionel Messi from penalty duties. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner missed another spot-kick in a thrilling last-16 scrap with Egypt on Tuesday. Argentina still came away with a 3-2 comeback win – with Messi bagging the second – but his tame effort from 12 yards led to a fourth miss in just eight World Cup penalty attempts. With fans and pundits catching their breath after Argentina’s late three-goal flurry, chatter between Pougatch, Roy Keane, Gary Neville and Ian Wright turned to whether Messi can still be trusted to step up. Keane began: “We were watching it here and we didn’t fancy him. His record is not great. And for a great player like Messi, almost lacking that belief in himself, it’s amazing.” Pougatch then chimed in: “Lionel Messi, for all his brilliance, misses another penalty. READ MORE ON THE WORLD CUP “It’s the second he has missed at this World Cup, that’s an unwanted record. “So he’s missed half the penalties he has taken at the World Cup, excluding shootouts. Doesn’t someone have to take penalties off him? “Sorry, does someone have to say to Lionel Messi, ‘I don’t care you’re Lionel Messi, you’re not very good at penalties’?” That question drew gasps from the rest of the studio, with Wright shutting it down straight away. Most read in Sport WORLD CUP 2026 FREE BETS AND SIGN UP OFFERS Neville then got a good laugh when he asked: “Trump?” He added: “They’re impossible, these players of that stature, to communicate with about stuff like this. They want every penalty, they want every free-kick.” World Cup 2026 - all the info The knockout stages of the World Cup are hotting up as we head towards the business end of the tournament. England believe football might finally be coming home after 60 years of hurt, with Harry Kane and Jude Bellingham on fire. But the likes of France, Spain and Argentina are all serious contenders to go all the way. Heavyweights Germany, Netherlands, Brazil and Portugal have all been knocked out. LATEST NEWS - Egypt striker and manager launch staggering attack on referee - BBC will NOT cover World Cup quarter-finals in USA - Messi breaks down in tears as Argentina shatter Egyptian hearts - Roy Keane goes full Harry Kane with Man Utd legend’s voice going - Jordan Henderson health update after freak injury - How England’s ‘screen team’ can stop Erling Haaland KEY INFO - World Cup 2026 full match schedule including kick-off times - World Cup 2026 full squads - World Cup 2026 rule changes - World Cup 2026 prize money VIDEO - Proper Football Daily: Get all the expert analysis each morning - Team Talk – Tactics Exposed: Dive into the tactical talking points TIPS AND BETTING If you click a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue.