Lionel Messi has opened up about his heated post-World Cup quarter-final altercation with Netherlands star Wout Weghorst, with the Argentine admitting that he regrets his actions.
Argentina, inspired by Lionel Messi, ultimately defeated the reigning champions France in the 2022 FIFA World Cup final on penalties. Messi won praise for his exploits in what was his first World Cup victory in his fifth attempt.
However, Messi also received criticism for his actions following the quarterfinal match against Netherlands.
Messi himself has now acknowledged that he didn’t like how he conducted himself with Dutch manager Louis van Gaal and striker Wout Weghorst back then.
Lionel Messi to Wout Weghorst after the match: “What are you looking at, dumby? Go back there, dumby. Get back there, yes!” 😨pic.twitter.com/LaJlIgpaRy
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 10, 2022
“I didn’t think about it, it came out in the moment,” Messi said while speaking of the incident involving Weghorst in an interview with radio show Perros de la calle.
The 7-time Ballon d’Or-winner said that his teammates informed him of what Netherlands boss Van Gaal had said about them. Amid all the tension of the game, Messi ended up losing his cool, but he hadn’t thought of doing such things.
Lionel Messi on his celebration vs. Netherlands: “It came out naturally. My team mates told me what van Gaal said before the match. I don’t like to leave that image, but it just came out. There was a lot of nervousness.” Via @urbanaplayfm. 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/DT2w3sAo1D
— Roy Nemer (@RoyNemer) January 30, 2023
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“I did know everything that had been said before the game, what he [Van Gaal] had said. Even some of my teammates were telling me ‘Did you see what he said,’ on purpose.
“And well, when it’s all over, I don’t like what I did, I don’t like the ‘keep moving’ and all that. But well, they are moments of huge tension, huge nervousness and everything happens very fast.
“One reacts the way one reacts, but nothing was planned. It just happened. I don’t like to leave that image, but these are things that happen,” the superstar footballer said.
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