Messi Admits Targeting Lewandowski Over Ballon d'Or Dispute
Lionel Messi has acknowledged that he deliberately targeted Robert Lewandowski during the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, stemming from their contentious Ballon d'Or controversy in 2021.
The Argentina captain made these revelations during an interview with ESPN in July, providing insight into how personal grievances can influence professional conduct on the football pitch.
The Ballon d'Or Controversy
The dispute originated when Messi won his seventh Ballon d'Or in 2021, defeating Lewandowski who had been widely considered the frontrunner. During the award ceremony, Messi expressed that Lewandowski deserved recognition for his outstanding 2020 season, when the award was cancelled due to the pandemic.
However, Lewandowski later described Messi's comments as "empty words" in a subsequent interview, which clearly affected the Argentine star.
World Cup Confrontation
Speaking candidly about their Group C encounter in Qatar, Messi admitted to deliberately targeting the Polish striker through excessive dribbling attempts. "Lewandowski's statement in 2021 bothered me because when I won the Ballon d'Or, I said what I really felt," Messi explained.
"I ignored him during the game because it was him, and I was angry and thought he shouldn't have said what he said. Was I deliberately dribbling because it was him? Yes," he confessed.
Argentina secured a 2-0 victory over Poland in that match, with Messi contributing to his team's success despite not recording a goal or assist.
Lewandowski's Response
The Barcelona striker has since addressed the controversy, speaking with Polish outlet Rymanowski Live. Lewandowski suggested his comments may have been misinterpreted or taken out of context.
"I think I was misunderstood or maybe I expressed myself badly. It could have been taken as me saying they were empty words," Lewandowski clarified. "During the gala, with the emotion, I don't even remember exactly what I said."
The 2021 Ballon d'Or voting was closely contested, with Messi receiving 613 votes compared to Lewandowski's 580. The Polish striker's frustration was compounded by missing out on the 2020 award when the ceremony was cancelled entirely.
Messi subsequently led Argentina to World Cup glory in Qatar and claimed his eighth Ballon d'Or in 2023, cementing his status as football's most decorated individual award winner.