After his team’s slender 1-0 defeat to Argentina in the FIFA World Cup qualifiers on Tuesday night, Peru captain Paolo Guerrero lashed out the match referee for handing special treatment to his superstar counterpart, Lionel Messi.

The 40-year-old Guerrero lamented that Messi was receving preferential advantage from the referees as several fouls against the Peruvian players went under the radar.

“It’s hard when the referee conditions you. They were pushing us, and no fouls were called. But you touch Messi with a finger, and it’s always a foul,” a fuming Guerrero told Movistar Deportes.

“No one says anything because it’s Messi, right? Any little contact, any touch, and it’s a foul. Meanwhile, they pushed us, and nothing was called. It’s tough because it changes the flow of the game. Most of their chances came from set pieces,” Guerrero added.

While Messi set up the winning goal for Argentina with a record-equalling 58th international assist, Guerrero felt several decisions went in favour of the hosts, adding that his team matched up to the world champions on physicality.

The defeat left Peru at the bottom of 2026 FIFA World Cup South American qualifier standings, with 6 points separating them from the playoff spot and 10 points from direct qualification.

“I don’t think we’re out yet; we still have a chance. Anything can happen. Peru has come back from difficult situations before, when everyone wrote us off. We’re going to keep fighting. I believe in my teammates, in my jersey, and in my country. We just have to give everything we’ve got,” Guerrero said.