Lionel Messi opens up about regrets over clash with Louis van Gaal during Argentina’s 2022 World Cup quarter-final victory over Netherlands
Messi immediately regretted his goal against the Netherlands at the 2022 World Cup. Messi angered Dutch coach Louis van Gaal by covering his ears with his hands in celebration after conceding Argentina’s second goal from a penalty.
Van Gaal commented on Messi’s performance ahead of the quarter-finals, particularly his off-the-ball contribution and how he approached the game as a whole. Messi pricked up his ears to the Dutch coach in response.
However, the Inter Miami striker has now revealed that he regretted Van Gaal’s celebration almost immediately as he feared he would end up losing the game.
READ MORE: Lionel Messi admits trying to humiliate Robert Lewandowski and confirms World Cup snub
READ MORE: Lionel Messi has no qualms about honest assessment of MLS status after first season
“I had the idea of ’Topo Gigio’ (named after the cartoon character, a goal celebration in which players put their hands on their ears to show defiance against someone), but naturally I regretted it,” said the 36-year-old. Years old told ESPN. “When I did that, I thought: ‘What an idiot. They can still tie.’ These things usually happen.”
This is exactly what happened. After Messi’s penalty kick, forward Walter Weghorst scored twice to equalize the score. But despite the shift in momentum, thanks to Messi, Argentina eventually beat the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties.
For all the latest on US news, politics, sports and showbiz visit american mirror .
After the game, Messi said about the incident: “I felt disrespected by Van Gaal after his remarks before the game and after some Dutch players said too much during the game.”
Messi and his teammates defeated Croatia and France in the semi-finals and final to win the World Cup. However, Argentina’s game against the Netherlands was probably the most intense match of the World Cup, with a total of 14 yellow cards issued.
Argentina has eight and the Netherlands has six. Part of the reason for the tension between the two sides was Van Gaal’s comments about Messi before the game. The former Netherlands coach does not appear to be giving up on the outcome of the game, claiming the World Cup was rigged.
“I don’t really want to say too much about it,” the manager told reporters. “When you see how Argentina scores goals, how we score goals, and how some Argentinian players get out of line without being punished, I think it’s all a premeditated game.”