Lionel Messi Reveals Attempt to “Humiliate” World Cup Opponent
Lionel Messi once revealed that he aimed to ‘humiliate’ an opponent during a World Cup match.
Messi, 37, isn’t typically associated with aggressive play or verbal confrontations, preferring to let his remarkable footwork speak for itself on the pitch. However, there was one particular incident where the typically composed Argentinian superstar admitted to deliberately targeting an opponent due to personal animosity.
The match in question took place during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, when Argentina faced Poland in Group C. The Polish player who managed to get under Messi’s skin wasn’t just any footballer – it was legendary striker Robert Lewandowski.
During the match, Lewandowski attempted to dispossess Messi before extending his hand in what appeared to be a friendly gesture. Surprisingly, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner refused the handshake and walked away, leaving many spectators confused by this uncharacteristic show of disdain.
The Origin of Messi’s Anger Toward Lewandowski
The tension between the two football icons stemmed from events following the 2021 Ballon d’Or ceremony. Despite Lewandowski’s record-breaking season with Bayern Munich, where he scored an incredible 40 Bundesliga goals in just 29 games, breaking Gerd Muller’s 49-year scoring record, he finished second to Messi in the prestigious award.
While accepting the award, Messi acknowledged Lewandowski’s achievements and even suggested the Polish striker should have received the 2020 Ballon d’Or, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in a subsequent interview, Lewandowski described Messi’s comments as “empty words” – a statement that clearly bothered the Argentinian star.
Explaining the situation after the World Cup, Messi told ESPN: “Lewandowski’s statement in 2021 bothered me because when I won the Ballon d’Or, I said what I really felt. 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. Was I deliberately dribbling because it was him? Yes.”
This rare admission of targeted play reveals a more competitive and personally motivated side to Messi’s game that fans rarely witness.
The key moments that led to this unusual rivalry include:
- Messi winning the 2021 Ballon d’Or over Lewandowski
- Messi suggesting Lewandowski deserved the 2020 award
- Lewandowski calling these comments “empty words”
- The tense World Cup encounter where Messi refused a handshake
- Messi’s admission of deliberately targeting Lewandowski during play
Fortunately, this football feud didn’t last forever. Messi later added, “After that, we met and talked and agreed that it was a misunderstanding. He was upset because what he said didn’t match what was reported. Then he went to Barcelona, and we talked about many things about the club, the city and everything.”
This rare glimpse into the competitive mindset of one of football’s greatest players shows that even the most composed athletes can be driven by personal motivations on the pitch, especially on the world’s biggest stage.
Want more insights into the rivalries and untold stories of football’s biggest stars? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter for exclusive interviews, analysis, and behind-the-scenes content from the beautiful game’s greatest players!