Netflix’s new documentary reveals the reasons why striker Lionel Messi celebrated by placing his hands close to his ears to target coach Louis van Gaal at the 2022 World Cup.

Messi had many controversial actions when Argentina met the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup. On Lusail Stadium that day, the Argentine captain assisted Nahuel Molina to open the score and then took a penalty kick to double the gap. After scoring a goal, he celebrated by placing his hands close to his ears and heading towards the Dutch technical area. “Are you asking where Messi is? Where are you now?”, Messi said.

According to Argentinian newspaper Ole, this celebration is also Messi’s way of responding to Van Gaal on behalf of Riquelme. In the past, the Dutch strategist did not use Riquelme at Barca, even saying the former Argentine midfielder was “a redundant person at Camp Nou”.

This information has been confirmed, when in the movie “Captains of the World” just premiered on Netflix, journalist Julien Laurens said: “Van Gaal almost ruined the career of Riquelme – the person Messi considers a god. image. The Dutch coach refused to let Riquelme play much at Barca. At that time, every time he scored for Barca, Riquelme would perform his signature celebration with Van Gaal. Messi never forgot this.”

Also in the movie “Captains of the World”, Messi revealed regular contact with his idol Riquelme throughout the tournament in Qatar. “I talked to him for many years. And at the 2022 World Cup, we talked after the matches,” the 36-year-old striker revealed.

After the 2022 World Cup quarterfinals, Messi also went to the technical area of the Netherlands. The 36-year-old striker pointed his finger and told Van Gaal and assistant Edgar Davids that before the match they said too many bad things in the media about him and Argentina.

In the post-match interview with TyC Sports, catching a look from striker Weghorst, Messi said: “What are you looking at, idiot?”. This radio reporter immediately stopped the 35-year-old superstar and brought him back to the interview. But Messi still tried to shout at Weghorst: “Go away quickly.”

A month after the tournament in Qatar, Messi admitted he had some regrets about this action. “Those were extremely tense, nervous moments, everything happened very quickly and you didn’t have time to think about anything,” he told Argentine journalist Andy Kuznetsoff. “Nothing was actually planned, it just happened like that and I don’t want to leave an image like that.”

Messi joined Barca’s La Masia training facility in 2000, when he was 13 years old. On October 16, 2004, he debuted for Barca’s first team in La Liga, replacing Deco in the 82nd minute of the 1-0 win over Espanyol. Riquelme landed at Barca in the summer of 2002, but did not have the opportunity to witness Messi’s growth. He was only used by Barca in his first season before being loaned to Villarreal.

On the national team level, Riquelme was considered the most worthy person to succeed Maradona before Messi appeared. However, countless injuries repeatedly prevented him from contributing to the country and did not win any major titles in Argentina. Riquelme only attended three major tournaments throughout his career: Copa America 1999, 2007 and World Cup 2006.

“Messi knows I love him very much, we talk often and have a very good relationship,” Riquelme added about his relationship with Messi. “I texted Messi when Argentina lost the first match against Saudi Arabia, and after winning against France in the final. I always said that as long as Messi is playing, Argentina will always be appreciated. Watching Messi play is amazing “.