The 2022 World Cup Leaves A Pity For Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi brought Argentina to win the 2022 World Cup. (Photo: Twitter/@FIFAWorldCup)

JAKARTA Argentina superstar Lionel Messi expressed regret for making a fuss with Dutch coaches and players in the 2022 World Cup quarter-finals in Qatar.

He conveyed this in an interview with Argentina radio channel Urbana Play, which was broadcast on Monday, January 30. It was his first interview since he lifted the prestigious trophy in the middle of last month.

"I don't like what I did (and) I also don't like what happened after the game," Messi was quoted as saying by The Washington Times.

The match in which Argentina later came out as the winner of the match went through the shootout, including one of the hottest matches in the four-year most prestigious event.

A total of 15 yellow cards had to be given by the referee in that match. Messi also received a yellow card for protesting against Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz who led the match.

In this match, Messi even made a provocative celebration after scoring from the spot in normal time. He ran and then stood in front of the Dutch coach, Louis van Gaal, and cupped his hands in his ears.

La Pulga is also known to have shouted at Wout Weghorst striker, who scored two goals in extra time, while conducting an interview session in the tunnel to the dressing room.

"These are moments full of tension, full of anxiety. It was very fast and everyone reacted in their own way. Nothing was planned, it just happened," said Messi.

"I reacted like that. There's a lot going on with this player. Tension moments like this. I'm in the mixed zone and events on the pitch just happened. I don't like to leave that image, but things like this happen," he added.

Argentina, who lost their opening match against Saudi Arabia, then came out as champions after beating twice France in the final on penalties after playing 3-3 for 120 minutes. It was Argentina's third title in competition history.

"Since that day, things have changed for me. By chance, what we really dreamed of happened. I really hope for that in my career and, in the end, it happened," said Messi.