Argentina star Lionel Messi has opened up about his controversial celebration in front of Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, explaining why he did it.
In December, Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy after his heartbreak in the final of the 2014 edition of the global showpiece in Brazil.
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Before winning the tournament, though, there were a number of controversial incidents that took place in Argentina's quarter-final clash against the Dutch, which they eventually won via a penalty shootout.
Prior to the win over the Netherlands, Oranje boss Louis van Gaal took aim at Messi, insisting he had a plan to nullify the superstar.
The seven-time Ballon d'Or winner seemingly took this personally, later celebrating his goal in the match in the Dutch coach's face.
In his first major interview since, Messi has now explained why he celebrated in front of the former Manchester United manager the way he did.
"Some of my teammates have told me what Van Gaal said before the game," the 35-year-old said, per Bolavip.
"Then we were 2-0, it all happened so fast and I didn't even think about it.
"When I looked back at all of that later – the celebration, the 'Anda pa'lla bobo' ('Go, you fool') – I didn't like it, it wasn't planned.
"I don't like to leave that image, but it came out like that, there was a lot of nervousness and tension."
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Messi also played down his war of words with Dutch star Wout Weghorst, who has since joined United, with the two players having clashed during the match and after the final whistle.
"Everything that came out was natural, a lot had happened on the field with that player in reality and a couple more," the PSG superstar told Infobae, per the Daily Mirror.
"At the moment of tension, friction, crossing, when the game gets like that, the fever with the referee too.
"He was in the mixed zone and the game had just finished. And well, I know that there is everything now."
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