Lionel Messi has revealed his frustration with Roberto Lewandowski during Argentina’s World Cup clash against Poland in Qatar, explaining that it fueled his determination for one-on-one confrontations on the field. Despite the heated exchange, Argentina emerged victorious with a 2-0 win, securing their advancement from the top spot in Group C to the World Cup’s Round of 16, eventually claiming the championship.
The memorable incident occurred when Messi, angered by a foul committed by the Polish striker, refused to shake Lewandowski’s hand, despite an immediate apology. In a candid interview with ESPN, Argentine shed light on the events of that day.
The backdrop to this animosity traces back to Lionel’s remarks about Lewandowski during the 2021 Ballon d’Or ceremony. While Messi acknowledged Lewandowski’s outstanding performance, the Argentine didn’t vote for him in The Best awards, causing a rift between the two players.
Messi admitted, “His words bothered me because I honestly said what I felt. It hurt me and I was angry. So I ignored him and kept going to dribble him. He shouldn’t have said that.” However, he clarified that they have since reconciled and restored their relationship.
