Slavko Vincic reflects on World Cup final and Messi chat

Slavko Vincic has opened up on his final assignment as a referee, reflecting on the World Cup final between Spain and Argentina and revealing the limited detail he was willing to share about his exchange with Lionel Messi.

Vincic discusses his final on the biggest stage

The Slovenian official has ended his refereeing career after this year’s World Cup, with the final serving as the closing chapter of his time on the pitch. Despite criticism referenced in the source over some of his previous performances, FIFA entrusted him with the tournament’s showpiece occasion.

Speaking to journalists at the headquarters of the Slovenian Football Association, Vincic said the appointment initially came as a shock before turning into a source of pride. He described it as recognition not only for himself and his team, but also for Slovenian refereeing structures and the national federation.

Vincic said he understood the scale of the responsibility and moved quickly into preparations for the match. He also thanked FIFA’s refereeing leadership, including Pierluigi Collina, for the confidence shown in him.

His verdict on the performance

Looking back on the final, Vincic gave a positive assessment of the work done by his officiating team. His view was that the officials did not become a major talking point after the final whistle, which he took as a sign that the match had been handled well overall.

He said their strategy had been the right one and framed the occasion as a wider success for Slovenian refereeing. Vincic also pointed to the role of the domestic officiating organisation, saying the final was a significant moment for the system that has overseen refereeing in the country since independence.

As a further mark of recognition, the source notes that the International Federation of Football History and Statistics named him the best referee of the World Cup.

Why VAR remains essential

Vincic also used the meeting with reporters to defend the use of VAR. In his view, the speed of the modern game means some incidents can be missed in real time, and video review offers an important safeguard when the stakes are so high.

He argued that mistakes can be corrected through replays and said he could not imagine elite-level refereeing without technological support. Vincic added that, since VAR was introduced, at least 90 per cent of cases had ended with a positive outcome.

What he said about Messi

One of the main points of curiosity was his conversation with Messi after the final. Vincic chose not to disclose the substance of that exchange, saying he would leave the discussion on the pitch.

Still, he did offer a brief character assessment, saying that Messi behaved properly.

Vincic was also asked about being labelled a “sex symbol” of the tournament. He treated that lightly, saying such things should be taken positively, especially if they help improve the image of referees in Slovenia and beyond.

A role beyond retirement

Although his on-field career is over, Vincic indicated he is ready to remain involved in the game by passing on his experience to younger officials. That suggests his influence may continue within Slovenian football, even if his final whistle has already gone.