Lionel Messi explains his celebration against Louis van Gaal, Netherlands

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In his first interview since winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, Lionel Messi explained his goal celebration against Louis van Gaal during the heated quarterfinal between Argentina and the Netherlands.

It’s been over a month now, but Argentina’s success at Qatar 2022 continues to be the talk of world football. After many years of waiting, Lionel Messi finally got his hands on the World Cup trophy.

Having failed in his four previous appearances, the Paris Saint-Germain star’s pursuit of the elusive title ended in Qatar. La Albiceleste arrived at the World Cup in high spirits, although they had to overcome many obstacles along the way.

While many remember their loss to Saudi Arabia on their debut, Argentina’s hopes were suddenly on the line in the quarter-finals. To say the game against the Netherlands was heated would be an understatement.

Lionel Messi addresses reaction against Louis van Gaal, jab at Wout Weghorst

There was a lot of talk before the quarterfinal game, with Louis van Gaal taking a subtle shot at Messi for his lack of effort in defense. The 7x Ballon d’Or winner took it personal, later celebrating his goal in the Dutch coach’s face.

“It came out from me naturally,” Messi told Argentine journalist Andy Kusnetzoff in Urbana Play. “Some of my teammates have told me what Van Gaal said before the game. 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’llá bobo” – 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.”

Many things have been said about Argentina after that game, since they rubbed the win on the Dutch players’ faces. In the end, the stakes were too high and both teams felt it. Only that La Albiceleste had the last laugh.

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