Referee
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz, a former Spanish association football referee, recently retired after officiating La Liga matches from 2008 to 2023. He had an impressive career as an international referee, participating in multiple FIFA World Cup tournaments.
Mateu Lahoz gained recognition for his distinctive and talkative style of refereeing, which was often described as "quirky." Before embarking on his refereeing journey, he worked as a physical education teacher. Antonio has an estimated net worth of €2 million.
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz had an illustrious career that spanned over two decades. He began his refereeing journey in the lower divisions, officiating in the Tercera División from 1999 to 2002. Demonstrating his talent and commitment, he advanced to the Segunda División B from 2002 to 2004 and further to the Segunda División from 2004 to 2008.
Mateu Lahoz talking with Cristiano Ronaldo. SOURCE: Instagram- @mateu_lahoz_oficial_ In 2008, Mateu Lahoz achieved a significant milestone when he started refereeing matches in La Liga, the top tier of Spanish football. His tenure in La Liga continued for an impressive 15 years until his retirement in 2023, cementing his position as one of Spain's highest-rated referees in the modern era. Throughout his career, Mateu Lahoz showcased his skills on the international stage as well, officiating in multiple editions of the prestigious FIFA World Cup.
Mateu Lahoz gained a reputation for being talkative and adopting a "quirky" approach to refereeing. While this uniqueness added a distinct flavor to his performances, it also sparked some controversy and debate. Nevertheless, his contributions to the game were widely acknowledged, and he remained a FIFA-listed referee from 2011 until his retirement in 2023.
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz's earnings from his long and successful career as a referee are estimated to have surpassed €4 Million. While the specifics of his yearly earnings are not publicly disclosed, as a professional referee, he would have received a salary for each match he officiated. Furthermore, he would have been entitled to additional prize money for refereeing prestigious events such as the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League.
Mateu Lahoz has an estimated net worth of $1 Million. SOURCE: Instagram- @mateu_lahoz_oficial_ Mateu Lahoz's exceptional contributions to the world of refereeing were duly recognized through various honors and awards. In 2018, he was honored with the title of the best referee in La Liga, a testament to his expertise and proficiency in his field.
His impressive reputation led to his selection as the referee for significant matches, including the renowned 2018 FIFA World Cup. As a mark of respect and admiration, he was even granted a guard of honor in one of his final games in La Liga, reflecting the high regard in which he was held by players, fans, and officials alike.
Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz is estimated to have a net worth of €2 million. Referees in La Liga, including Mateu Lahoz, receive a basic monthly salary of €12,500. In addition to their base salary, they earn an additional €4,200 for each match they officiate. VAR referees and assistants in La Liga receive €1,600 and €800 respectively. Since the professionalization of refereeing in 2020, La Liga referees have become the highest-earning officials in Europe. On average, they earn around €250,000 per year, making them among the highest-paid officials globally.
Mateu Lahoz was criticized for his judgement during Argentina V.S Netherland. SOURCE: Instagram- @mateu_lahoz_oficial_ On the other hand, FIFA does not publicly disclose the exact earnings of its referees. FIFA referees receive a match fee for officiating in prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup and UEFA Champions League. They also receive prize money for their participation in these high-profile matches.
While the specific figures are not disclosed, refereeing in such prominent events provides referees with significant financial rewards. It is worth noting that La Liga referees, including Mateu Lahoz, have consistently earned high salaries and have established themselves as some of the best-paid officials in the world.
The specific annual salary of Antonio Mateu Lahoz as a La Liga referee is not publicly available. However, according to Forbes, La Liga referees generally earn between €300,000 ($327,000) and €400,000 ($436,000) in gross annual pay. In 2018, there was a significant increase of 53% in the salary of La Liga referees, with top-flight referees earning around €296,423 per year.
Mateu Lahoz was urged to be removed from FIFA by Lionel Messi. SOURCE: Instagram- @mateu_lahoz_oficial_ When it comes to FIFA referees, the exact details of their earnings are not disclosed publicly. However, FIFA referees receive a match fee for officiating in prestigious tournaments such as the FIFA World Cup, UEFA Champions League, and other high-profile matches.
These tournaments offer referees significant financial rewards through both match fees and prize money. According to SportsUnfold, Mateu Lahoz is regarded as the highest-paid referee globally and has signed a contract with the Saudi Arabia Football Federation, earning a substantial $650,000 per season. This highlights the considerable financial opportunities available to elite referees who officiate in prominent competitions.
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Antonio Mateu Lahoz, a prominent Spanish referee, gained notoriety for his controversial and talkative approach to officiating matches. His career spanned 15 years since his debut in La Liga back in 2008, making him one of Spain's most recognizable referees. Known for his distinct style, which drew comparisons to the English model of refereeing, Mateu Lahoz often stood out on the field.
Mateu Lahoz was honored with a guard of honor in the last match of his career. SOURCE: Instagram- @mateu_lahoz_oficial_ However, his refereeing displays in major competitions like the World Cup, La Liga, and Copa del Rey faced significant criticism. The 2022 FIFA World Cup, in particular, became a source of controversy for Mateu Lahoz. He faced public criticism from renowned players such as Lionel Messi, Frenkie de Jong, and Sergio Aguero.
These incidents and the mounting scrutiny likely played a role in his decision to retire at the end of that season. During the World Cup, Mateu Lahoz also set a new record for the most yellow cards given in a single match. This occurred during the quarter-final match between Argentina and the Netherlands
Following Argentina vs Netherlands match in the quarterfinals of the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Lionel Messi expressed his dissatisfaction with the performance of referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz. Messi's remarks were highly critical, emphasizing that FIFA should take responsibility for appointing such a referee. He stated that Lahoz failed to fulfill his duties properly in a match of great significance. Messi conveyed his frustration, emphasizing that the match did not have to end in the manner it did.
However, Messi also highlighted the limitations players face in openly discussing the referee's performance. He expressed concern about potential sanctions for speaking honestly and openly, which restricts players from expressing their thoughts on the matter. Messi stressed that FIFA should reconsider the selection of referees for crucial matches like the quarterfinals, as he believed that Lahoz was not up to the task of managing such an important game.
