27 March 2023 , 15:18
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The series of events that led to Lionel Messi rowing with Manchester United striker Wout Weghorst after their World Cup quarter-final clash has been released in fresh video footage by FIFA.
Argentina's win over Netherlands was a memorable but bad-tempered encounter, which saw 15 yellow cards brandished by Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz. The match went to penalties after it finished 2-2 in normal time following a dramatic Weghorst equaliser – his second goal of the game as a substitute.
Messi was spotted arguing with Dutch manager Louis van Gaal and his assistant Edgar Davids at full-time. He was then seen turning to double-goalscorer Weghorst during an interview and shouting in his native Spanish: "What are you looking at bobo (fool)? Get back there."
Manchester United defender and Argentine international Lisandro Martinez has explained how that has led to Weghorst affectionately being called “Bobo” by his new teammates at Old Trafford – where he moved on a loan deal the month after the World Cup.
Messi, for his part, has subsequently admitted he is not proud of losing his cool after the match, in which he shouted at Weghorst during an interview with Argentine network TyC Sports.
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"I don't like what I did," Messi reflected in January. "I don't like the 'keep moving' and all that. But well, they are moments of huge tension, huge nervousness and everything happens very fast.
Weghorst can be seen arguing with Sergio Aguero - a non-playing member of Argentina's squad - after the clashHave Your Say! Did Messi’s World Cup success establish him as the greatest ever footballer? Tell us what you think here.
"One reacts the way one reacts, but nothing was planned. It just happened. I don't like to leave that image, but these are things that happen."
Fresh footage has now emerged of the post-match fallout after the quarter-final in an upcoming FIFA documentary. Cameras followed the players down the tunnel after the conclusion of the penalty shootout and captured back-stage scenes not previously seen.
“The passion and ill-feeling continues long after the final whistle,” the documentary’s voiceover explains, before cutting to footage of Messi walking down the tunnel, escorted by several teammates, with Weghorst waiting in the tunnel – seemingly with the intention of shaking his hand.
However, there was not a lot of amicability from the Argentine players after the heat of battle. The footage then cuts to a scene of Weghorst explaining to Sergio Aguero and several of Argentina’s players: “I was waiting for him (Messi) as I wanted to give him a hand (handshake).”
Weghorst was speaking to several Argentina players headed by striker Lautaro Martinez with Lisandro Martinez – who is now a teammate of Weghorst at United – appearing to act as a peacemaker between the Dutch forward and Aguero.