Throughout the intense 120-minute decider at MetLife Stadium, broadcast cameras frequently captured Vinčić engaged in discussion with Messi. While fans and analysts speculated about the nature of these conversations, Vinčić maintained that what happens on the pitch stays on the pitch:
“I’ll leave that conversation on the pitch. But I can say that Messi behaved in a sportsmanlike manner and conducted himself properly.”
The match saw Argentina come under scrutiny for their physical approach after Ferran Torres struck in extra time to seal a 1–0 win for Spain. Messi also faced questions after appealing to Vinčić when Spanish defender Marc Cucurella covered his mouth during a conversation—a gesture previously penalized in the tournament. However, Vinčić dismissed any notion of unprofessionalism from the 39-year-old superstar.
The 2026 final marked the pinnacle and conclusion of Vinčić’s officiating career. A week after the tournament, the Football Association of Slovenia (NZS) officially confirmed his retirement.
Vinčić reflected on the immense pride and pressure of leading his crew—assistant referees Tomaž Klančnik and Andraž Kovačič—on football’s biggest stage:
Initial Surprise: Vinčić admitted to being shocked upon learning from Pierluigi Collina that he was appointed for the final.
Managing Emotions: He noted that the primary challenge was handling the intense emotional reactions inherent to a World Cup final.
Key Decisions: Regarding key calls—including the second yellow card issued to Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández late in the second half—Vinčić stood firmly by his team’s performance:
“When your entire refereeing career comes down to a single match, the responsibility is immense. We were not the main topic of conversation after the match, which shows that our refereeing strategy was correct.”
