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BUENOS AIRES (AP) — World Cup winner Lionel Messi regretted his testy exchanges with the Netherlands coach and gamers throughout their controversial quarterfinal in Qatar, he mentioned in an interview aired on Monday.
Messi gave his first interview since lifting the trophy in December to radio Urbana Play of Buenos Aires. The Argentina captain spoke concerning the feisty conflict with the Dutch which the South Individuals gained in a penalty shootout. A report 17 yellow playing cards have been issued, together with one to Messi for dissent.
When Messi scored from the spot in common time, he stood in entrance of Dutch coach Louis van Gaal and cupped each fingers to his ears. After the sport, he gesticulated to the Dutch bench and insulted striker Wout Weghorst, who scored twice in regulation.
“I don’t like what I did, I don’t like what occurred afterward,” Messi mentioned. “These are moments of a whole lot of stress, a whole lot of nerves. It is rather fast and folks react the way in which they react. Nothing was deliberate, it simply occurred.”
That quarterfinal was surrounded by controversy. Earlier than the encounter, Van Gaal mentioned his gamers have been higher ready than their rivals for a penalty shootout. He additionally mentioned “Messi didn’t contact the ball” within the semifinal between the groups within the 2014 World Cup; Argentina additionally gained that tie in a penalty shootout.
Messi mentioned his teammates informed him what Van Gaal mentioned to stimulate him.
About his second with Weghorst, Messi mentioned it was “pure.”
“I reacted that approach. There had been many issues with this participant, moments of stress like these . . . I used to be on the combined zone, it had simply occurred,” Messi mentioned. “I don’t like to go away that picture, however this stuff occur.”
Messi additionally mentioned Argentina “basically was higher than its rivals” and picked Mexico, its second group opponent as “the hardest.”
“It was the worst match we performed due to all of the issues concerned in successful it or not,” Messi mentioned. Argentina misplaced its opener to Saudi Arabia 2-1 in one of many greatest shocks in World Cup historical past, and needed to beat Mexico to remain in playoffs contentions. Mexico was overwhelmed 2-0.
Messi mentioned he has not watched the ultimate towards France. Argentina gained the ultimate on penalties to win its first World Cup title since 1986.
“Since that day, every part modified for me,” he mentioned. “By luck, what we dreamed about a lot occurred. I wanted that a lot in my profession and, on the finish, it got here.”
Requested what he would inform Messi in his childhood if he might, the star mentioned: “One thing extraordinary awaits, you’ll be able to’t think about. You should have a lovely path, with some powerful moments that you’ll have to overcome, however by no means give your desires away as a result of on the finish you’ll get your most desired reward. Your movie can have a cheerful ending.”
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Extra AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
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