"I Don't Like What I Did": Lionel Messi On Netherlands Clash Controversy In FIFA World Cup 2022

Lionel Messi has opened up on the controversial clash with Netherlands star Wout Weghorst after the FIFA World Cup quarter-final. The Argentine has admitted that he regrets his actions.

The Lionel Messi-led Argentina went on to win the 2022 FIFA World Cup, beating defending champions France in the final on penalties. In what was Messi's first World Cup triumph on 5th attempt, the Argentine great drew many plaudits for his performances. But, ahead of the final, Messi was also subjected to criticism for the way he behaved after the quarter-finals clash with Netherlands. Having behaved miserably with the Dutch boss Louis van Gaal and striker Wout Weghorst, Messi has now admitted that he didn't like what he did back then.

"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.

"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.