World Cup winner Lionel Messi has revealed his regret over Argentina’s fracas with the Netherlands during their controversial quarter-final.
When Messi scored from the spot in regular time, he stood in front of Dutch coach Louis van Gaal and cupped both hands to his ears.
“I don’t like what I did, I don’t like what happened afterward,” Messi said.
Before the encounter, Van Gaal said his players were better prepared than their rivals for a penalty shootout.
He also said “Messi did not touch the ball” in the semi-final between the teams in the 2014 World Cup – which Argentina also won in a penalty shootout.
There had been many things with this player, moments of tension like these…
I was in the mixed zone, it had just happened,” Messi said.
“I don’t like to leave that image, but these things happen.”
Messi also said Argentina “in general were better than our rivals” and picked Mexico, its second group opponent as “the toughest”.
“It was the worst match we played because of all the things involved in winning it or not,” Messi said.
Messi said he has not watched back the final against France.
Argentina won on penalties for their first World Cup title since 1986.
You will have a beautiful path, with some tough moments that you will have to overcome, but never give your dreams away because at the end you will get your most desired reward.
