Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski had some differences during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar. He ignored Robert’s handshake during their game against Poland, this created quite a scene among the fans in the soccer community. However, recently Messi and his teammates poured some light on this heated matter between them in 2022.
Messi was not pleased with Lewandowski for allegedly questioning the sincerity of his remarks, which he has since clarified were misconstrued. The animosity between the two athletes appeared to persist and was evident during Argentina’s match against Poland during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar. Now that Lewandowski had him annoyed, Messi has acknowledged that he had targeted the striker during the match.
🚨 Leo Messi on his moment with Lewandowski in the World Cup:
“Lewandowski’s statements bothered me because when I won the Ballon d’Or I said the thing I really felt, but for him to speak in this way bothered me.
“I ignored him during the game because it was him and I was… pic.twitter.com/9LW3gK6NIX
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) December 1, 2023
“Lewandowski’s statement in 2021 bothered me because when I won the Ballon d’Or I said what I really felt,” Messi told ESPN. “I ignored him during the game because it was him and I was angry and thought he shouldn’t have said what he said. I was very angry. If I was deliberately dribbling because it was him? Yes.”
However, Messi seemed to bury the differences between the two of them and spoke about the city of Barcelona and the living standards, etc when Robert completed his move to FC Barcelona. Since then, Robert has been an immense signing for Messi’s previous club, FC Barcelona.
Angel Di Maria opens up on the Messi-Lewandowski feud
When Argentina and Poland met off during the 2022 World Cup, Argentina triumphed. La Albiceleste, headed by Lionel Messi, defeated Poland 0–2. Nevertheless, the much-discussed confrontation between Leo and Polish captain Robert Lewandowski is what makes the game more or less remembered.
Recently, Angel Di Maria, Messi’s teammate from Argentina, said that the GOAT purposefully targeted Lewandowski for an onslaught during the match. “Even my grandma noticed that Messi was purposely taunting Lewandowski. It’s a thing he does sometimes,” he said in a Star+ documentary. ‘Champions, a year later.’
🚨 Leo Messi on his moment with Lewandowski in the World Cup:
“Lewandowski’s statements bothered me because when I won the Ballon d’Or I said the thing I really felt, but for him to speak in this way bothered me.
“I ignored him during the game because it was him and I was… pic.twitter.com/9LW3gK6NIX
— All About Argentina 🛎🇦🇷 (@AlbicelesteTalk) December 1, 2023
“When you speak about him, he tries to talk on the pitch. Sometimes, people don’t respect Messi and don’t know that he’s the best player of all time. You can’t Leo him anything because he gets angry, and it’s worse for them,” Angel added on the Messi-Lewandowski feud.
After the World Cup match, Lewandowski and Messi were seen chatting, but neither player disclosed what they said. However, both, Lionel Messi and Robert Lewandowski reportedly came to an understanding after having a straightforward conversation with each other. It remains to be seen what happens with both of their respective futures next.