Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has revealed what he told Lionel Messi after clashing with the Argentine captain in Poland’s clash with Argentina on Thursday.
The two players, who are captains of their respective nations, locked horns in the last group stage game of the World Cup. Messi’s side won the game 2-0 to come out top of the group ahead of Poland who finished second.
But there was an incident during the game that raised questions and it happened when Lewandowski pulled Messi’s shirt. The Paris Saint-Germain striker didn’t take the situation lightly and frowned at the Poland captain.
However, after the game, both players were all smiles and were in conversation, with Lewandowski caught on camera whispering something into Messi’s ears.
When asked what he told the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner, Lewandowski told BILD via GOAL that they were talking about Messi’s contribution to the game.
“We talked a bit, and it was fun,” he said.
“I told Messi that he was playing more defensively than usual, but sometimes that’s what the team needs.”
Lewandowski added on the incident that saw Messi react angrily to being fouled him: “That was very strange, yes: I was in the centre of the pitch defending, but I knew I had to help the team.”
Poland will play reigning champions France in the knockout round while Argentina will face Australia. The game against the Socceroos will be Messi’s 1,000th competitive appearance for club and country.