Wout Weghorst is taking positives from his World Cup argument with Lionel Messi, with the Dutch striker saying: “At the very least he has learnt my identify.”
- Netherlands misplaced to Argentina at Qatar 2022
- Feelings threatened to boil over
- Clashes on the pitch and within the tunnel
WHAT HAPPENED? The Netherlands worldwide clashed with Argentina celebrity Messi on the finish of a fiery quarter-final encounter that noticed the Albiceleste prevail on penalties and preserve themselves on monitor for final glory in Qatar. Messi branded Weghorst a “idiot” and waved him again in the direction of the dressing rooms throughout a post-match interview, however the Burnley-owned frontman maintains that he was not making an attempt to be confrontational within the tunnel and wished to clear the air with a rival that he nonetheless holds within the highest regard.
WHAT THEY SAID: Weghorst has instructed En Son Haber of his heated alternate with Messi, who went on to assist Argentina to World Cup glory and himself to a history-making second Golden Ball: “For me, everybody is identical in a match. I battle. That’s what I did in that match. I had some tense moments with Messi within the match and perhaps he was shocked. I respect him lots, he’s top-of-the-line ever. After the sport I wished to point out Messi the respect I’ve for him, however he wasn’t very open to it. Now at the very least he has learnt my identify.”
THE BIGGER PICTURE: Weghorst stated on the time of the incident: “I went to shake his hand after the sport. He has not accepted it and has stated one thing impolite to me, however I don’t perceive Spanish very effectively. I am very upset.”
Former Argentina striker Sergio Aguero delivered a unique model of occasions, saying: “We had been simply beginning to enter the dressing room when this huge man [Weghorst] began to shout ‘hey, hey, Messi.’ Leo circled to have a look at him and stated what he stated. The man then instructed him ‘come right here and say that.’ So I jumped in there and instructed him to close up. I stated ‘why are you speaking to Messi like that?’ He then stated to me ‘don’t inform me to close up.’ It was a sizzling second so I stated ‘okay, it’s over. Go away. Shake my hand and good luck’.”
IN THREE PHOTOS:
Getty
Getty
WHAT NEXT? Weghorst helped to encourage a outstanding comeback from the Netherlands of their assembly with Argentina, as he netted within the 83rd and one hundred and first minutes to power additional time, however his efforts had been finally in useless because the eventual winners of all the competitors held their nerve in a shootout from 12 yards.