Lionel Messi opens up about being ‘very angry’ at Robert Lewandowski during 2022 World Cup

Lionel Messi has come out to confess that he was upset and angry with Barcelona forward Robert Lewandowski when Messi’s Argentina faced Poland in the final group stage game of the World Cup in Qatar last year. Messi was left upset with Lewandowski, and the sourness showed on the pitch during Argentina’s victory over Poland.

The game, which was very crucial in the race for qualification to the knockouts, ended 2-0 in favor of Argentina, with Lionel Messi being the orchestrator despite not being on the scoresheet. Messi looked to be on a mission during the game, and after a year, it has now been revealed that Messi did have added motivation against Lewandowski and his team.

Lionel Messi opens up about Robert Lewandowski statement

Lionel Messi looked to be very aggressive towards Lewandowski in the World Cup, leaving many to think that it was his way towards glory for Argentina. However, it has now come to light that the record eight time Ballon d’Or winner was deliberately talking up to Lewandowski, because of the Polish striker’s comments during the 2021 Ballon D’or ceremony. 

Lewandowski, during the ceremony, questioned if the words from Messi were genuine when the Argentine talked about the year before, when Lewandowski was the favorite. The words from the Pichichi holder did not go well with Messi, and he in turn did not react to Lewandowski until the World Cup.

Messi stated that, “Lewandowski’s statement in 2021 bothered me because when I won the Ballon d’Or I said what I really felt”. He also added, “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”.

Messi has surprisingly been aggressive since the beginning of the World Cup last year, which one could also see during Argentina’s recent game against Brazil. 

However, Messi added that his clash with Lewandowski was over after the latter cleared up what was actually a misunderstanding, and then both of them went on to talk about life in Barcelona.

Messi sheds light on his potential 2026 World Cup participation

Lionel Messi has also gone on to shed some light on whether he will feature in the upcoming World Cup edition after showing the greatest display in pushing the team towards Argentina’s third World Cup trophy last year.

Messi has denied talks of him not featuring in the next World Cup and has said that anything can happen in the future, as he is currently focused on the Copa America with Argentina. He stated, “I don’t think about the World Cup yet and I CAN’T say that I WON’T be there too because everything can happen later”.

Messi has been enjoying life in the USA, which is also the place that hosts the next World Cup. The little magician has already sold out Inter Miami’s MLS tickets, and hopes to have a successful campaign in Florida, which might aid his preparation for the 2026 World Cup in North American conditions.

Will the Copa America be Messi’s last tournament for Argentina, or will he be there for the World Cup? Comment and let us know.