Messi proven right after DISGRACEFUL Weghorst celebration

Carlo Garganese

• 17 Nov 2024 09:44 GMT
• 5 min read

Remember the infamous scenes in the aftermath of Argentina’s epic World Cup victory over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the 2022 World Cup?

Who could forget? A huge melee between both sets of players and staff followed Argentina’s dramatic penalty shootout win over the Dutch.

The bad blood continued into the tunnel and in front of the media cameras in the mixed zone, with Lionel Messi verbally attacking Wout Weghorst for what he perceived to be disrespectful behaviour on behalf of the giant striker during the game.

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Messi’s complaints appear to be even more well-founded now after the shameful actions of Weghorst on Saturday evening during the Netherlands’ 4-0 thrashing of Hungary.

In the eighth minute of the UEFA Nations League match in Amsterdam, play was stopped due to a serious medical emergency.

Hungary staff member and former striker Adam Szalai collapsed at the side of the pitch with a suspected seizure.

A medical tent was erected around Szalai so he could receive medical treatment before he was rushed to hospital.

Players of both teams were visibly shaken and it was debated whether or not to continue the game before it was decided to resume after over 10 minutes of halted play.

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Thankfully, Szalai is conscious and stable in hospital.

“Adam Szalai fell ill in the first minutes of the Netherlands-Hungary match, but his condition is stable and he is conscious,” The Hungarian Football Federation announced in a statement.

“He was transported by ambulance to an Amsterdam hospital for examination.”

Szalai also posted a message later in the evening that he was doing well: “Thank you for the many messages, I’m fine.”

The potential seriousness of the situation at the time was clearly not grasped by Weghorst, though.

Immediately after resuming play, Netherlands were awarded a penalty via VAR.

Weghorst stepped up and dispatched the penalty to put the Netherlands 1-0 ahead.

However, he then incredibly celebrated vociferously. He sprinted over to fans by the corner flag before doing a knee slide.

Unsurprisingly, Weghorst has been rightfully hammered on social media for his inappropriate and insensitive celebration at a time when there were real fears over the condition of Szalai.

It looks like Messi was right all along about the former Man Utd striker.

Messi vs Weghorst: What happened at World Cup 2022?

in the quarter-final clash between Argentina and Netherlands, the South Americans appeared to be cruising into the semi-finals.

They were leading 2-0 when Weghorst was introduced as a substitute by Holland coach Louis van Gaal with 12 minutes to go.

The Netherlands desperately pumped long balls forward to the 6ft 5in Weghorst, who inspired a dramatic late comeback.

He scored in the 83rd minute and then equalised 11 minutes into stoppage time to force extra time and then penalties, which Argentina prevailed in.

After the game, there were a number of flashpoints. As soon as Lautaro Martinez fired home the winning penalty, Argentina’s players celebrated in the faces of Holland’s players on the half-way line. This led to a number of altercations in which Denzel Dumfries was sent off.

Messi went over to the Holland bench to celebrate in front of them before an angry post-match interview.

“I feel disrespected by Van Gaal after his pre-game comments and some Dutch players spoke too much during the game,” the Argentine blasted.

Messi was also critical of Holland’s long balls to Weghorst.

"Van Gaal says that they play good football, but what he did was put on tall people and hit long balls,” Messi stated.

Messi also clashed with Weghorst in the tunnel after the game, with Leo repeatedly shouting: ‘'Anda Palla, Bobo”, which translated to 'Keep moving, idiot!'

Messi also reportedly refused Weghorst’s offer of a handshake after the game.

“I always give everything and I did the same in the quarter-final,” Weghorst said of the clash to De Telegraaf.

“I fought against Messi and there were a few moments between us. I think he didn’t like it and that it surprised him.

But I have a lot of respect for him. He is among the greatest of all time.

“I wanted to show my respect for Messi after the game, but he didn’t want it.

“I think he was still angry with me. Oh well, I see it as a great compliment that he knows my name now. Then at least I did something right.”