Netflix’s new documentary film reveals the reasons behind Lionel Messi’s celebration by putting both hands close to his ears and gesturing towards coach Louis van Gaal during the 2022 World Cup. Messi’s actions during Argentina’s quarter-final match against the Netherlands were controversial. On that day at Lusail Stadium, the Argentine captain assisted Nahuel Molina in scoring the opening goal and then scored a penalty to double the lead. After his goal, he celebrated by putting both hands close to his ears and directing them towards the Dutch technical area. “Where are you now? What do you have to say, huh?” Messi said. According to the Argentine newspaper Ole, this celebration was also Messi’s way of responding to Van Gaal for his past treatment of Riquelme. In the past, the Dutch coach did not value Riquelme at Barcelona, even going so far as to refer to the former Argentine midfielder as “excess baggage at Camp Nou.”

The image of Messi celebrating a goal in a taunting manner towards Van Gaal during the Argentina – Netherlands quarter-final match at Lusail Stadium, Qatar on December 9, 2022, was one of the standout moments of the 2022 World Cup. This information was confirmed in the recently released Netflix documentary “Captains of the World”, where journalist Julien Laurens states, “Van Gaal practically ruined Riquelme’s career – someone whom Messi idolized. The Dutch coach refused to give Riquelme enough playing time at Barcelona. During that time, every time Riquelme scored for Barca, he would perform his trademark celebration in front of Van Gaal. Messi will never forget this.” In the same documentary, Messi reveals that he has been in regular contact with his idol Riquelme throughout the tournament in Qatar. “I’ve been talking to him for many years. And during the World Cup 2022, we spoke after each match,” the 36-year-old forward disclosed. After the quarter-final match of the 2022 World Cup, Messi even approached the technical area of the Netherlands team. The 36-year-old forward pointed and spoke to Van Gaal and assistant coach Edgar Davids, acknowledging that they had said unkind things about him and Argentina in the media prior to the match.

Messi reprimanded coach Van Gaal after the Argentina – Netherlands quarterfinal match at the Lusail Stadium in Qatar on December 9, 2022. In an interview with TyC Sports, Weghorst caught Messi’s gaze and he said, “What are you looking at, you idiot?” The reporter from the channel immediately intervened and brought Messi back to the interview. But Messi still tried to communicate with Weghorst, saying, “Get out of here quickly.” A month after the tournament in Qatar, Messi admitted to feeling some regret about his actions. “Those were extremely tense and nerve-wracking moments, everything happened very quickly, and you don’t have time to think about anything,” he told Argentine journalist Andy Kuznetsoff.

“The truth is, nothing was planned, it just happened that way, and I don’t want to leave that image behind.” Messi joined Barca’s La Masia training academy in 2000 at the age of 13. On October 16, 2004, he made his debut for the Barca first team in La Liga, replacing Deco in the 82nd minute of a 1-0 win against Espanyol. Riquelme arrived at Barca in the summer of 2002, but did not have the opportunity to witness Messi’s growth. He was only given a chance by Barca in his first season before being loaned out to Villarreal. On the national team front, Riquelme was once seen as the most deserving successor to Maradona before Messi emerged. However, numerous injuries repeatedly hindered his dedication to the country, and he did not win any major titles in Argentina’s colors. Riquelme only participated in three major tournaments in his career, the Copa America in 1999, 2007, and the World Cup in 2006. “Messi knows I love him very much, we often talk and have a great relationship,” Riquelme added about his relationship with Messi. “I messaged Messi when Argentina lost their first match against Saudi Arabia, and after defeating France in the final. I always say that as long as Messi is playing, Argentina will always be highly regarded. Watching Messi play is truly amazing.”