“Was I deliberately dribbling because it was him? Yes” - When Lionel Messi opened up on how he felt facing Lewandowski after Ballon d’Or controversy

Lionel Messi admitted in an interview that he targeted Robert Lewandowski with his dribbling at the 2022 FIFA World Cup because of their Ballon d'Or feud. The Argentina great made the admission earlier this year during a chat with ESPN, shedding light on how he takes out his frustration on opponents.

Messi spoke with ESPN back in July, pointing out that Lewandowski's comments in the aftermath of the 2021 Ballon d'Or, which Messi won, made him to target the Pole. He revealed that he chose to embarrass him by repeatedly dribbling him when both of their countries met in the group stage of the World Cup in Qatar.

"Lewandowski's statement in 2021 bothered me because when I won the Ballon d'Or, I said what I really felt. I ignored him during the game because it was him, and I was angry and thought he shouldn't have said what he said. I was very angry. Was I deliberately dribbling because it was him? Yes", he admitted (via GiveMeSport).

Then-Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski was the frontrunner to pick up the Ballon d'Or in 2020 but was denied of the award after France Football decided against handing it out due to COVID. The Poland international followed this up with a fine 2020-21 season in which he scored 41 Bundesliga goals in 29 appearances but again missed out on the award, this time to Lionel Messi.

Lionel Messi led Argentina to win a first international trophy since 1993 and led Barcelona to win silverware, earning him his seventh Ballon d'Or. He commented at the gala that he hoped that Lewandowski would receive his 2020 award as he deserved it, but the Pole referred to his comments as 'empty words' in an interview.

Messi helped his Argentina side to claim a 2-0 win over Lewandowski's Poland in their Group C meeting in Qatar despite failing to score or assist in the game. He ended up going all the way to win the competition and winning the award for an eighth time in 2023.

Lewandowski addresses Ballon d'Or controversy with Lionel Messi

Veteran Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski has spoken up about his previous Ballon d'Or controversy with Lionel Messi. The Poland international missed out on the prestigious award on a number of occasions, coming closest in 2021 when he finished second behind Messi.

Lewandowski spoke with Polish outlet Rymanowski Live, explaining that he did not intend to disrespect or insult Messi with his comments four years ago. He pointed out that the comments, which were made after the snub, may have been taken out of context or may have been an emotional outburst.

"I know what you mean, the situation with Messi after the Ballon d'Or, where I think I was misunderstood or maybe I expressed myself badly. It could have been taken as me saying they were empty words. But what I had in mind was precisely that those words would not be left in the air. You never know how things will be interpreted... During the gala, with the emotion, I don't even remember exactly what I said", he admitted (via Marca).

Lionel Messi beat Lewandowski to the award, polling 613 votes to 580 for the Pole, as he won it for a seventh time. The striker was aggrieved at the time because he was a clear favourite for the award in 2020 but did not receive it.

Edited by Sulayman Salahudeen