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Lionel Messi has come out and admitted that he immediately regretted his celebration after scoring against the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup.
This was after Messi scored Argentina’s second goal, putting them in a comfortable position. As he celebrated, he cupped his ears towards the Netherlands bench, a gesture directed at Van Gaal.
It was a match filled with disputes, and the referee unleashed 18 yellow cards and with tension brewing between the two teams during the game, this act of defiance sent shockwaves through the stadium and the wider footballing world. It was a rare glimpse of raw emotion from Messi, a player often portrayed as calm and collected.
But the Inter Miami star has now revealed that he almost immediately regretted the celebration that was directed at Van Gaal.
“I came up with the ‘Topo Gigio’ [named in honor of a cartoon character, a goal celebration in which a player puts his hands to his ears as a sign of defying someone] right there and I automatically regretted it,” the 36-year-old told ESPN. “As soon as I did it I thought: ‘What an idiot. They can still tie it.’ These things usually happen.”
The episode had the precursor of Van Gaal’s pre-match comments, questioning Messi’s leadership qualities and suggesting Argentina’s tactics were based on long balls. These remarks ignited a spark within Messi, who was determined to prove the Dutch manager wrong.
In the end, Argentina won the game 4-3 on penalties.
The 2022 FIFA World Cup was a tournament filled with captivating moments, but this particular incident stood out as a symbol of passion and defiance.
