Former football stars faced rougher treatment from referees, often enduring physical challenges and fouls without intervention. In contrast, Lionel Messi receives a significantly higher level of protection from officials during matches. This disparity in refereeing has sparked debate regarding preferential treatment afforded to the Argentinian superstar. Johan Esk, a commentator, highlights this shift in how top players are handled on the field. The observation suggests a change in the game where protecting key players is prioritized. This difference in treatment wasn’t common for previous generations of celebrated footballers who were often left to navigate more physical play. The discussion centers on whether this protection impacts the fairness and flow of the game.