Lionel Messi’s Candid Admission: Regretting the ‘Topo Gigio’ Celebration at the 2022 World Cup
In an exclusive interview with Star+, Lionel Messi opened up about a rare moment of regret, describing himself as feeling like an ‘idiot’ for a specific goal celebration. The incident occurred after Messi successfully converted a crucial penalty against the Netherlands during the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
“I came up with the ‘Topo Gigio’ (a celebration when a player puts his hands to his ears as a sign of defiance – a dig at Louis van Gaal in that case) right there, and I automatically regretted it.”
“‘What an idiot,’ I thought to myself. They can still tie it.’ These things usually happen.” The repercussions were swift as Wout Weghorst scored two goals after Messi’s penalty, equalizing the score at 2-2. Fortunately, Argentina displayed resilience and ultimately secured a 4-3 victory on penalties.
This triumph not only propelled them to the next stage but also paved the way for Argentina to clinch the World Cup crown, marking a historic achievement in Messi’s illustrious career.
