Holland-Argentina, what happened between Messi and van Gaal: from controversial exultation to face-to-face after penalties. VIDEO

Messi’s provocative exultation

But the face to face at the end of the game wasn’t the only moment of disagreement between Messi and van Gaal. He had struck the joy of the PSG striker with the goal of the momentary 2-0, when he had addressed a part of the stadium showing ears almost as a sign of defiance. Well, Messi wasn’t angry with that part of the stadium, but he was really facing the Dutch bench and, specifically, at from Gaal.

Messi’s explanation after the match: “He disrespected us with his words on the eve”

To the Argentine reporters – first on the pitch in the hot interview then in the mixed area after the shower and the celebrations – the Albiceleste captain explained his reaction so marked and over the top for his standards, accusing van Gaal of having failed to respect in the pre-match on several occasions by Seleccion and also launched heavy allusions towards the PSG champion.

“van Gaal says Holland play good football but reality says what the team did tonight was put tall people in front and kick long balls” the first boulder that Messi took off against the 71-year-old coach Oranije to whom he then reserved another ‘little thought’ full of poison: “I was angry because a coach like van Gaal, with the experience he has accumulated over the years on the bench… Who speaks the way he spoke, who lacks respect… He shouldn’t have made those statements, I didn’t find them right. I don’t like people talking before games. It’s not part of football. I consider myself someone who always respects everyone, but I also demand respect for myself and my teammates. van Gaal has not been respectful to us“.

What van Gaal had declared on the eve

Messi took charge of this controversy with van Gaal by responding, in turn, to the Dutch coach’s words before the match. The former Barcelona coach had made not exactly nice statements about Messi, referring to the semifinal of the 2014 World Cup, when Argentina eliminated the Netherlands, right on penalties. But, in that match, he said from Gaal“Messi hasn’t even touched a ball and can’t be considered a leader”.