Messi regrets actions in WC win vs. Netherlands

A month after lifting the World cup in Qatar,Lionel Messi has expressed regret over his behaviour during and after Argentina’s quarterfinal win against the Netherlands .

Messi and his teammates were criticised for their actions after the win on penalties following their 2-2 draw Dec. 9.

The Paris Saint-Germain star celebrated his 73rd-minute penalty goal by running in front of Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal and cupping his hands to his ears.

Messi claimed after the game that Van Gaal “disrespected” Argentina in his “pregame comments.”

“I knew what Van Gaal had said but it [the goal celebration] happened on the spur of the moment,” Messi said in an interview in Paris with Andy Kusnetzoff’s “Perros de la Calle.”

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“I didn’t like what I did, I didn’t like what happened after. These are moments of nervousness and everything happens very quickly.”

The Argentina captain was seen arguing with Van Gaal and his assistant, Edgar Davids, at full-time.

Messi also reportedly shouted at Netherlands goal scorer Wout Weghorst during a postgame interview: “What are you looking at fool? Get back there.”

Messi, meanwhile, said despite the long wait to lift the World Cup, he wouldn’t have it any other way.

Argentina beat France on penalties to win their first World Cup in 36 years in Qatar in what was Messi’s fifth World Cup.

“I think if I had to choose the moment, it would have been this one,” Messi said. “It’s at the end of my career, closing a circle.