Lionel Messi sent the soccer world into a frenzy as he lifted the World Cup trophy in Qatar last year. After winning almost all trophies possible in a soccer player’s career, Messi added the last piece of the puzzle as Argentina defeated France in what was a blockbuster final.
Messi’s World Cup glory flooded the Internet with congratulatory posts from fans and present and former soccer players. Lionel Messi’s Instagram was no exception to this.
In his first interview after winning the World Cup last year, Messi revealed that he couldn’t open his Instagram due to the massive number of messages he received for his triumph. During the interview with the Argentinean show, Perros de la Calle, Messi opened up about his World Cup campaign. Messi said, “On 18th December, everything changed for me. What I dreamed of and wished for throughout my career, has come true.”
Messi: “My Instagram was blocked for a few days because of the amount of messages I received after winning the World Cup.” pic.twitter.com/VsmQIjldQV
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) January 30, 2023
Messi further said, “My Instagram was blocked for a few days with how many messages I’ve received after the World Cup.” Messi also went on to break another record, rather unknowingly. Messi’s Instagram post after winning the World Cup has become the most-liked photo on Instagram, garnering a mammoth 75 million likes. The PSG star also spoke about his feelings about being the holder of this new record.
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Messi said, “I wasn’t looking to have the most liked photo, people wanted to see me with the cup.” The previous holder of this record was a picture of an egg, which had almost 60 million likes. Messi’s photo also broke the record of being the most-liked photo by a sportsperson, which was previously held by Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo’s photo of him playing chess with Messi has gathered 42.7 million likes on Instagram.
Lionel Messi explains his fight with Wout Weghorst
During the interview, Messi also talked about his fight with Dutch player, Wout Weghorst. Argentina’s quarterfinal clash against the Netherlands was one of the most controversial matches in the World Cup 2022. Argentina had taken a 2-0 lead courtesy of goals from Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi. The Netherlands, however, bounced back, with a late brace from Wout Weghorst.
During the match, the referee handed out a total of 14 yellow cards and 1 red card. Although Messi and Argentina defeated the Netherlands 4-3 in the penalty shootout, Messi clashed with Weghorst after the match during the post-match interviews. Messi, while giving an interview, caught Weghorst waiting for Messi in the mixed zone. He proceeded to shout at Weghorst, saying “What are you looking at fool? Get back there.”
Lionel Messi to Wout Weghorst after the match: “What are you looking at, dumby? Go back there, dumby. Get back there, yes!” 😨pic.twitter.com/LaJlIgpaRy
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) December 10, 2022
Messi, in his recent interview, explained what went on in his head during the incident. He said, “It came out of me naturally. My teammates have told me what Van Gaal said before the game. I don’t like to leave that image, but it came out like that, there was a lot of nervousness.” Messi also slammed the match referee, Mateu Lahoz, for his poor refereeing during the match.