The secrets behind Lionel Messi’s ear-covering celebration directed at Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal during the World Cup have been revealed in an exclusive Netflix documentary. In an astonishing turn of events, the Argentine superstar led his country to victory and claimed the coveted football trophy in December 2022, thanks to their outstanding performance throughout the tournament. While Messi’s magnificent displays on the field drew adulation, it did not come without its fair share of controversy. In the quarter-final encounter against the Netherlands, where Argentina emerged victorious in a penalty shootout following a thrilling 2-2 tie in regular time, Messi found himself taunting the opposing team’s boss after scoring a goal. Running towards the Netherlands’ bench, he cupped his ears towards them, which infuriated both their coaching staff and players.
The mystery surrounding Lionel Messi’s ear-covering celebration has finally been unveiled.
During the World Cup match, there was a moment when Messi caught sight of Netherlands manager Louis van Gaal and playfully taunted him.
Following the conclusion of the quarter-final match, Messi and van Gaal found themselves at odds with each other. However, it has now been confirmed that Messi’s celebration was actually a tribute to his sporting idol, Juan Roman Riquelme. Riquelme, who had a notorious falling out with van Gaal during their time together at Barcelona, had a signature celebration that would irk the Dutch coach whenever he scored for the team. This incident had a lasting impact on Messi, who never forgot how van Gaal treated his idol.
In the documentary series ‘Captains of the World’ on Netflix, journalist Julien Laurens shed light on van Gaal’s tumultuous relationship with Riquelme, stating that the Dutch coach almost ruined the Argentine’s career at Barcelona. Riquelme’s refusal to conform to van Gaal’s tactics led to a strained dynamic between them. Despite this, Riquelme persisted in doing his trademark celebration towards van Gaal whenever he scored. This gesture left a lasting impression on Messi.
Furthermore, Messi revealed that he maintained communication with his idol throughout the tournament in Qatar. He spoke about his ongoing conversations with Riquelme in the same documentary, emphasizing their connection and support for each other. Messi stated that they would talk after every match during the World Cup.
After the final whistle of the match, tension between van Gaal and Messi was evident as they were spotted exchanging words on the touchline. It is alleged that Messi confronted the manager, expressing his dissatisfaction by telling him, “You talk too much.” Additionally, in his post-match interviews, Messi voiced his feelings of disrespect due to van Gaal’s pre-game comments and the excessive chatter from some Dutch players during the match.
Overall, the clash between Messi and van Gaal stemmed from a deep-rooted history intertwined with their respective relationships with Riquelme and the perceived disrespect and communication breakdown during the tournament.
Juan Roman Riquelme, who Messi admires greatly, often celebrated by cupping his ears during his playing days. However, a month after the World Cup, Messi confessed that he has some regrets about his own actions. Speaking to Argentine journalist Andy Kuznetsoff, he admitted that he had not given much thought to his celebration in the heat of the moment. Messi’s classmates had informed him about Riquelme’s comments before the game, which may have influenced his reaction. Reflecting on the incident, Messi expressed his disapproval of what he had done and the subsequent fallout. He explained that these intense moments during matches leave little time for rational thinking, and he never intended for his actions to leave such an image.
