Tensions escalated afterwards Holland-Argentina. Even with Lionel Messi. For example, the La Albiceleste star got into an argument with Louis van Gaal after the penalty shoot-out and irritations even took over during a television interview.
Messi was once again the big man in Argentina. He provided a wonderful assist to make it 0-1, scored the 0-2 from the penalty spot and didn’t fail even in the penalty shootout. Messi may continue to dream of his first world title, but the PSG star was clearly also very annoyed against the Orange side. At times, the quarterfinals felt more like a regular soccer match.
After the penalty shoot-out, Messi got into an argument with Dutch national team manager Louis van Gaal on the sideline. “He claims that beautiful football brings but lets his team kick long balls,” said the Argentine, who also later clashed with an Orange player during a televised interview with TyC Sports. Wout Weghorst is said to have done it. “What are you looking at, idiot?” Messi replied dryly, after which the journalist had to calm down ‘Leo’.
This referee doesn’t belong in such an important duel. As a player you can no longer say anything, because you immediately receive a card. FIFA needs to look into this
Messi was – not surprisingly – named Man of the Match. And in that interview he expressed his displeasure with referee Mateu Lahoz. “I think everyone saw how it turned out. We feared him before the game because we know how he conducts games. As a player you can no longer say anything, because you immediately receive a card. It’s very frustrating. FIFA needs to look into this. A referee like that is not part of such an important duel.”
Finally, Messi also praised the mentality of his teammates. “We know how to fight and we did it today. We’re moving forward again, this is the best thing there is. We demonstrate to every game that there is a desire in this group.”
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