Egypt: Chipsee halts printing of Messi’s image after angry boycott campaign - Sarmad
Egyptian outrage continues following the national team’s defeat to Argentina in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, amid widespread controversy over refereeing decisions. The latest casualty of this anger has been a popular food product.
One of the best-selling products from a potato chip company features Argentine star Lionel Messi on its packaging. However, after a boycott campaign and calls to avoid purchasing the item, the company decided to stop displaying Messi’s image on its products.
The angry campaign forced the chip company to halt printing packaging bearing Messi’s image, according to local reports.
Many Egyptians believe that Argentina benefited from favorable refereeing decisions in the match against Egypt, due to its star and captain Messi. They argue that this was done to prevent his elimination by the Pharaohs, who were leading 2-0, before Messi and his teammates equalized in the dying moments and turned the result around with a three-goal comeback.
Sources within the chip company clarified that all packaging and products currently on the market featuring Messi were manufactured before the start of the World Cup. They confirmed that the company has stopped producing all packaging, bags, and products bearing the Argentine player’s image.
The sources noted that the decision to halt production coincided with the end of the marketing campaign for the player, as well as consideration for public sympathy toward the Egyptian national team after its elimination from the World Cup by Argentina.
Following the Egypt-Argentina match, coach Hossam Hassan stated that his team had been treated unjustly by the referees, asserting that Egypt was the better side and that certain decisions influenced the outcome.
Hassam expressed surprise at the disallowance of an Egyptian goal and the failure to award several refereeing decisions in his team’s favor, describing the loss as “unfair.” He also hinted that Argentina’s and Lionel Messi’s continued presence in the tournament serves marketing interests.
